Democratic Party calls on SPAK to investigate medical oxygen monopoly

The Democratic Party (PD) has urged the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) to investigate what it describes as a “monopoly” on medical oxygen procurement. PD claims that the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, along with regional hospitals, source oxygen exclusively from two suppliers.

Why is this important: PD alleges that restricted competition in the medical oxygen market violates public procurement laws. Limited supplier involvement could raise costs and reduce the quality of vital medical supplies, raising concerns about transparency and public health risks.

PD allegations: Genta Vangjeli, PD’s anti-corruption spokesperson, presented documents showing alleged irregularities in procurement procedures. According to Vangjeli, tenders issued by the Competition Authority repeatedly attract only one of the two suppliers, or both acting jointly as a joint venture. These companies are consistently awarded the contracts, limiting market competition.

“The process effectively restricts competition, which is against the principles of public procurement law,” Vangjeli said. She emphasized that such practices allow only a small circle of suppliers to benefit from public contracts, raising red flags about fair market practices.

PD’s call for SPAK to investigate aims to uncover whether collusion between suppliers or negligence by public institutions has led to this monopoly.