The Ministry of Health wishes to clarify recent media reports concerning medicines valued at approximately GYD $7.7 billion, which were the subject of observations by the Auditor General.
The Ministry categorically confirms that the medicines in question were duly supplied by the respective contractors, physically delivered, received and accepted by the Ministry.
The apparent discrepancy identified during the Auditor General’s examination did not arise from a failure to supply or receive the medicines, but from administrative delays in recording deliveries within the Ministry’s inventory management system.
At the material time, the Ministry was implementing CORTEX, a new supply chain management platform, and the transition resulted in a temporary backlog in entering information relating to supplies that had already been received and accepted.
The Ministry considers it important that this distinction be clearly understood, as a delay in the electronic recording of inventory should not be misconstrued as evidence that the medicines were not delivered or received.
The operational difficulty responsible for the backlog has since been resolved, and the majority of the outstanding entries have been uploaded to CORTEX, with the remaining work progressing towards completion.
The Auditor General has also been apprised of these developments.
The Ministry further wishes to address concerns regarding storage capacity at the Materials Management Unit (MMU).
While recognising the importance of adequate storage infrastructure in the effective management of the national pharmaceutical supply chain, the Ministry emphasises that the medicines in question were received and accommodated through available storage arrangements, including an off-site facility, and are being distributed to hospitals, health centres and other health facilities across Guyana.
Indeed, the Ministry has been actively strengthening and decentralising its storage and distribution infrastructure to improve accessibility, efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of the population.
Regional Distribution Centres have already been established in Regions 2 and 10, while facilities in Regions 1, 6 and 9 are in the final stages of development.
These investments represent a deliberate and sustained effort to modernise the national distribution network, reduce logistical constraints and ensure that essential medicines and medical supplies reach communities throughout the country in a timely and reliable manner.
The Ministry acknowledges the important constitutional and democratic role of the media in informing the public, scrutinising public institutions and bringing matters of public interest to national attention.
Such scrutiny is both legitimate and necessary in a transparent and accountable society.
Equally, the Ministry considers it essential that public discussion be informed by the full factual circumstances, including the distinction between the physical receipt and acceptance of medicines and the administrative recording of those supplies in an electronic inventory system.
The Ministry takes the Auditor General’s observations seriously and remains committed to addressing any identified administrative or operational deficiencies through appropriate corrective measures.
Its responsibility extends beyond the procurement and receipt of medicines to ensuring accurate, timely and verifiable inventory records, sound management practices and effective distribution arrangements.
Ultimately, the Ministry’s overriding priority remains the protection of public health and the assurance that every Guyanese, irrespective of geographical location or economic circumstance, has reliable and equitable access to the essential medicines and medical supplies required for their care.
