Equatorial Guinea's health authorities have launched an investigation into irregularities in the authorization process for a local establishment. The probe was initiated after a commission discovered discrepancies in the documentation presented by the establishment. Inspectors found that one of the submitted academic titles may be false and does not support the claimed professional qualification.
According to information gathered during the investigation, the establishment's representative allegedly paid 600,000 Central African Francs (approximately $1,000) to Faustino Ncogo Edu, an official in the Archives Department of the Ministry of Health. The payment was reportedly made to secure the health authorization. Ncogo Edu allegedly used contacts within the General Directorate of Hospital Coordination to expedite the document's processing.
The authorization's ministerial signature has also come under scrutiny, and its authenticity will need to be verified. The commission aims to clarify the fate of the 600,000 francs, which do not appear to have been recorded as a state income from taxes or administrative fees. Instead, it is suspected that the funds were delivered to individuals involved in the management process.
This discovery is part of a broader campaign of health inspections launched in Malabo in July. Authorities have been reviewing operating permits, staff qualifications, foreign title homologations, and establishment operating conditions. Given the case's magnitude, the commission's president, Dr. Victoriano Nsue, has convened an urgent meeting with officials from departments involved in authorization processing.
During the meeting, Dr. Nsue emphasized that any irregularities in the administrative process can compromise both the legality of authorizations and public health safety. The commission is seeking to determine individual responsibilities that may arise from these actions. If investigations confirm that officials engaged in practices contrary to regulations, they will face consequences under the law, including possible administrative measures such as separation from the Public Administration.
The investigation's outcome will likely have significant implications for the establishment in question and potentially for other entities that have undergone similar authorization processes. Health authorities in Equatorial Guinea are underlining their commitment to upholding regulatory standards and ensuring public health safety.
Key points
- A Chinese citizen allegedly paid $1,000 to a health official for unauthorized approval.
- The authorization's authenticity and the fate of the 600,000 francs are under investigation.
- Officials found to have engaged in irregular practices may face administrative consequences.
