ACC seeks prosecution of four AEH employees over high-priced procurement

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to refer four employees of Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH) for prosecution in connection with the procurement of laboratory consumables at prices alleged to be higher than market rates.

The case stems from a procurement announcement issued by the hospital in 2025 to acquire laboratory consumables required for a four-month period for the hospital and the health centres operating under it.

According to the ACC, only a single bid was submitted for the purchase of 40,000 micropipette tips. The commission's investigation found that the items were procured without properly assessing whether the quoted price was reasonable and in a manner that violated the State Finance Regulations.

The ACC has decided to seek prosecution against the official overseeing the hospital's procurement department as well as three members of the bid committee that approved the purchase.

They are:

• Mohamed Saain Ahmed, Procurement Officer and the official overseeing the procurement department, who approved the bid evaluation

• Azeem Latheef, Senior Healthcare Administration Officer and Chairperson of the Bid Committee

• Abdulla Waheed, Senior Customer Relations Officer and Bid Committee member

• Dr. Fathimath Amaany Naseer, Paediatrician and Bid Committee member

The ACC said it has asked the Prosecutor General's Office to pursue charges related to misuse of official position and acting contrary to the state's financial interests.

The commission has also decided that the financial loss arising from the procurement should be assessed and that the administrative conduct of the employees involved should be reviewed. The ACC further recommended that any losses incurred by the state be recovered from those responsible.