Bolivian health minister arrested over corrupt purchase of overpriced ventilators
FRIDAY MAY 22, 2020
BOLIVIAN health minister Marcelo Navajas was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a corruption scandal involving the purchase of overpriced ventilators.
Mr Navajas was sacked and replaced by his deputy, Eidy Roca, who had previously been responsible for mapping the coronavirus pandemic.
Police chief Ivan Rojas confirmed the arrest following investigations into a $5 million (£4m) bill for just 179 ventilators bought from a manufacturer in Spain a cost of $27,683 (£22,640) each.
The deal was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) which on Wednesday expressed concern over irregularities in the transaction.
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