2023-04-20 21:53:27
health
Through a statement, the entity referred to the most recent controversy of the portfolio.
20/4/2023
In a press release sent from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the official response of the entity to a controversy that would involve one of its officials was known.
In detail, in three paragraphs of the text titled ‘Definitions to the internal process’, they refer to various versions of the media that They have mentioned the alleged participation of public servants in irregular acts, in the first weeks of March.
They explain that the portfolio directed by Minister Carolina Corcho informed its Internal Disciplinary Control Office of the content of an anonymous communication received at that Ministry. And that they also started with due process.
“In this regard, the Office of Internal Disciplinary Control initiated the corresponding administrative action within the framework of the provisions of the General Disciplinary Code, in accordance with the principle of due process, in its interest to clarify the transparency of its actions and the veracity of the information received”, they point out.
They conclude the letter stating that as the Ministry of Health and Social Protection they reiterate their commitment to the fight against corruption, compliance with the laws and respect for the processes carried out by the authorities in compliance with their duties.
Forero told WEEK that it all started with a complaint sent by a businessman named César Ayala to the office of the Vice Minister of Public Health, Jaime Urrego. In the document, which was published by the representative to the Chamber, alleged irregularities within the Department of Prevention and Promotion of the Ministry of Health are exposed.
“Dr. Urrego, we are extremely concerned that your good name and recognition for your extensive career in the health sector, spanning three decades, are tarnished by the people who work in the Ministry and depend hierarchically on you,” said the businessman in the text addressed to the vice Minister.
According to what he said, there would be “two people” from the team of the Directorate of Promotion and Prevention who would be looking for “private benefits, they negotiate commissions with the suppliers of medicines of public interest, insecticides, pesticides and inputs, among others.”
And they directly mention Johanna Marcela Barbosa Alfonso, the director of Promotion and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, and Yesid Gutiérrez, who would also be an official of the Ministry of Health.
“They are dedicated to negotiating with contractors and applicants for contracts in the Promotion and Prevention area,” said the businessman who signed the complaint, and warned that Barbosa Alfonso had been questioned when he was working at the Ibagué Health Secretariat.
Likewise, it indicated that “there is sufficient probative material to conclude beyond any reasonable doubt that these two officials have face-to-face, telephone, and WhatsApp meetings with both former suppliers to renew the contract that they have historically been awarded since past administrations, or threaten them with contact new suppliers to direct the contracting in their favor and agree on a percentage of profit on the award of the contract”.
They even attach a screenshot of a WhatsApp message in which, from a personal number, Gutiérrez was allegedly carrying out alleged irregular negotiations with suppliers.
There, a person told Gutiérrez that he is not able to “deliver 15% due to internal procedures in the Ministry of Health for the award”. To this, the official allegedly replies: “Dear, this situation can be considered, but please do everything in person. We may have a second meeting near San Martin this week. Greetings”.
Finally, the businessman who signed the complaint assured that they do not know which other senior officials within the Ministry of Health could be related to this case, but he maintained that the alleged charges in question should be investigated.
“There are more tests like this and we are sure (of) that a forensic analysis of the cell phone of the official Yesid Gutiérrez by the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation would bring great surprises,” concluded the businessman in his complaint.
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