Target Approach Programme funds meant for the country’s ailing health institutions have been abused, with at least $107 million going unaccounted for.
Irregularities in the disbursement of funds include the violation of tender procedures and procuring of obsolete equipment, among others.
A parliamentary portfolio committee on Health and Child Care said there was no proper supervision on the programme that was meant to give life to the ailing health institutions.
The committee’s investigations was triggered by Mberengwa North MP Tafanana Zhou (Zanu-PF) who raised a red flag on Mnene Mission in his constituency after allegations of failing to properly account for about $700 000 given to it.
Some of the observations were that budget and resource allocation was not above board while provincial medical directors and Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals were by-passed by the parent Ministry thereby could not supervise the programme.
“Tender procedures were flawed as the same company was contracted in almost all hospitals. Mission hospitals did not have the capacity to manage large sums of money and a lax financial system that allowed leakage of funds into individual pockets,” said Bulawayo Metropolitan MP Ms Nomvula Mguni (MDC-T) while presenting the committee report.
It was noted that PMDs were by-passed and were told not to interfere with the programme.
“Most of the hospitals negligently purchased dysfunctional equipment, disbursement of funds were inconsistent resulting in the stalling of some projects and Ministry of Health and Child Care disbursed funds to mission hospitals without receiving acquittals from these institutions,” said Ms Mguni.
The committee recommended disciplinary action against those that deviated from procedure.
“At Mnene, the committee was informed that tenders were approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and not by the hospital procurement and tender committee. It was further stated that some tenders that were approved by the State Procurement Board were overridden by the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” said Ms Mguni. 
Bikita West MP Dr Munyaradzi Kereke (Zanu-PF), said while the report was good there was need to make such investigations on time and not several years later.
“Here we are looking at a proficient report borne out of a hardworking committee, but it is looking at 2012 long after the horse had bolted. We need to ensure that Government audits are as current as possible,” said Dr Kereke.
Gutu South MP Dr Paul Chimedza (Zanu-PF), said most of the observations occurred during the inclusive Government and it was the MDC-T that held the Ministry of Finance and Health and Child Care respectively.
Binga North MP Mr Prince Sibanda (MDC-T), complained that hospitals from Matabeleland region got paltry amounts while those from other areas got the bulk of the money.
Some of the hospitals visited include Mutambara, Mtshabezi, Kariyangwe, St Albert’s and Chikombedzi. State Media