News item | 16-09-2022 | 15:30
Deloitte’s first partial report on the face mask deal with Relief Goods Alliance (RGA) was sent to the House of Representatives today. The report provides a factual account of how the deal between the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and RGA came about. The report shows that there was considerable external and internal pressure in the closing of the deal.
Minister Helder: “At the beginning of the corona crisis, there were very difficult circumstances in which many people became ill and died from an unknown virus. Politicians and society urged to provide sufficient protective equipment. The report now shows that we here at the ministry have not picked up on critical signals from the National Consortium for Resources (LCH). This research shows that lessons need to be learned for the future and that there must be clarity about roles and responsibilities even in times of crisis.”
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The report shows that the House of Representatives and society put a lot of pressure on the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE). Because there was a lot of uncertainty in the area of deliveries and quality, the ministry’s mission was to maximize purchasing.
The research bureau states that LCH has experienced pressure from the ministry in the agreement with RGA. The final deal will be signed by LCH at the express request of VWS. There is also a difference in understanding between VWS and LCH about who is responsible for pricing the deal. This report shows that no new whatsapp messages with then minister Hugo de Jonge have emerged, except for two whatsapp messages, which are in the letter to parliament.
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Lessons can be learned from the report. The investigation shows that the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has not picked up on critical signals from the LCH. Employees have experienced significant pressure to close the deal. Even in times of crisis, it is important that the advice from the implementation is sufficiently taken into account in the final decision. This indicates that there must be clarity about roles and responsibilities in the future, even in times of crisis.
The first sub-report has now been shared with the House of Representatives. If additional information about this deal comes out, the House of Representatives will be informed. The two remaining sub-studies will follow later, after which a comparison can be made between the various deals.