DRC: Where have the millions gone in the fight against the coronavirus?

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2 min

After the accusations of embezzlement in the management of Ebola, is there also a problem with the management of the Covid response? In recent days, allegations of embezzlement have multiplied, particularly on the side of the National Assembly. If officially seized, Minister Eteni Longondo promises to come and explain himself to the deputies. 

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In recent days, medical personnel have demonstrated to protest the non-payment of their salaries. Yet officially, in mid-June, more than 27 million dollars had been spent by the state to fight the pandemic.

The opposition deputy, Léon Mondole, is the president of the social and cultural committee and he claims to have already started talks with the office of the Assembly to launch a parliamentary fact-finding mission.

In question, the strike of the agents of the response, but not only. A few days ago, Professor Muyembe, in charge of coordinating the response, said he had received just over a million dollars when 27 million had been officially spent by the government to deal with the effects of the Covid -19, which caused an uproar. The ministry, for its part, claims to have managed only 3 million.

But the discontent does not come only from the opposition. Last Friday, François Nkureye, a PPRD MP for Joseph Kabila, tabled a written question, accusing the ministry of "  catastrophic management  ", of having set up a system of retrocommissions. Up to 35% on the payment of hotels and restaurants of suspicious or infected people, but also on money intended for hospitals. But this deputy also suspects the ministry of having put back into circulation expired medicines bought within the framework of the 100 days program or even mosquito nets not approved by the WHO.

The pay of the agents of the response is not ensured by the ministry of Health, explained Eteni Longondo and the delays would be due to the swelling of these lists which would have required a harmonization between the ministry for the Budget and the services of professor Muyembe. As for accusations of embezzlement linked to the response, the Minister promises an audit of all the funds used.

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• Coronavirus