The most common face of corruption is that of public servants who steal public funds but less common ones include corruption cases that result in the death of people.
is a deeply-rooted phenomenon in Mexico . It perhaps reached its peak during the previous administration when the construction of the México-Querétaro train came to a halt in the midst of conflicts of interests and favoritism; when millions in public funds were transferred to shell companies in the cases known as the Master Fraud ; and when the government inaugurated a road that would last at least 40 years, but a few months later a sinkhole killed two people.
Today, EL UNIVERSAL reveals yet another corruption case. Between 2014 and 2018, the IMSS presented a proposal to purchase ventilators , uniforms, and medicines but it was a simulation, which was used to divert MXN $321 million. Now, those supplies are essential to treat patients infected with COVID-19 .
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In the health sector, any irregularities or mismanagement has direct consequences in the lives of patients treated by health workers.
Since COVID-19 arrived, one of the main complaints was the lack of PPE for those at the frontlines. Moreover, a large number of doctors and nurses have contracted the novel coronavirus.
Another urgent need is ventilators for seriously ill patients with COVID-19. The risk that the number of ventilators is not enough has even sparked a discussion on bioethics and about who should have access to a ventilator.
The spread of COVID-19 took the health system by surprise and amid shortages . What proportion is the result of the diversion of public resources? Between 2014 and 2018, the organization Impunidad Cero y Justicia Justa (Zero Impunity and Just Justice) found the diversion of MXN $4,179 million in public funds to shell companies; the frauds are linked to the health sector.
Amid a public health crisis, it becomes evident that the mismanagement of public funds allocated to public clinics and hospitals has a direct effect on the quality of the services and could result in the death of patients. Will Mexico prevent more of these cases?
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