MoH forms committee to draft White Paper on Covid-19 vaccine procurement

SHAH ALAM – The Health Ministry (MoH) forms a committee to draft a white paper on Covid-19 vaccine procurement following a decision made during a Cabinet Meeting on Jan 18 Its minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the body was established to give a clear picture of the Covid-19 vaccine procurement management.

“This White Paper will examine the procurement procedure transparency for the benefit of the public as a whole.

“This follows preliminary findings by the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department who carried out due diligence in detail, particularly on the terms of the Covid-19 vaccine supply agreement that had been signed and made during the emergency period,” Dr Zaliha said.

In addition to that, the health minister pointed out that any procurement matters including that of the vaccine in question under the ministry would be carried out more meticulously with integrity.

“In relation to that, complying with the decision of the Cabinet Meeting as well, MoH will ensure that any procurement matters including the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine under this ministry are carried out more carefully, with integrity and ensure that it has reciprocal benefits for the Government,” she said.

On Feb 8, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that a White Paper on the improper procurement of Covid-19 vaccine by the previous government would be tabled in the coming Parliament session.

He said the procurement was done by the then health minister without the agreement of the Attorney-General (AG).