Health Minister, Abdulla Ameen has said that he does not believe his staff acted with the intent of theft despite the audit report on the Health Ministry’s actions in acquiring 200 ventilators to the Maldives.

Minister Ameen made the statement while responding to questions at the Parliament’s Financial Committee with the Health Ministry’s Bid Committee.

Minister Ameen said that all transactions were within the specified rules and regulations and was conducted after acquiring the necessary permissions from the Finance Ministry, with the advice of the Attorney General as well.

He added that he can assure that none of his employees would have acted with the intent of corruption in the work. However, he noted that it would be difficult to say that regarding the admin and other procedures where something may have happened.

Minister Ameen further highlighted that some instances are noted in the fiscal policy where it does not apply in the procurement of equipment for government offices. He further added that regardless of this, all transactions regarding the ventilators were within the regulations.

Speaking regarding the audit report which stated that there was no consultation of the Attorney General nor the permission of the Finance Ministry while signing the agreement with Dubai's Executors General, he said that the necessary permissions were sought and that the information has since been shared with the audit office.