Minister Sasko to Announce Next Steps on Ambulance Tender on Monday (3)

Bratislava, 8 August (TASR) – Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice–SD) will announce the next steps regarding the controversial ambulance tender on Monday, 11 August. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Sasko stated that he is aware of concerns raised in the public sphere, which he personally finds troubling. As a response, he has asked his expert team and the leadership of the Slovak Emergency Medical Service Operation Centre (OS ZZS) to examine all options, including the potential cancellation of the tender. He stressed that his actions will be based on their findings. „I am not turning a blind eye to the information circulating publicly. If you think it doesn’t disturb me, of course it does,” said the minister. „I will not allow any scandal or shady deals to take place. That is a red line for me.” Sasko emphasised he will not sign off on any licence that could be deemed unlawful. He instructed his legal team to review all possible legal avenues by Sunday, 10 August. Likewise, he asked the emergency service's leadership to submit a set of specific solutions by then, aimed at dispelling any doubts surrounding the procurement process. „The public will be informed about the next steps on Monday,” he added. In addition, minister Sasko announced he will file a motion with the Prosecutor-General's Office to review all legal aspects of the tender, amid concerns over the company Emergency Medical Solutions (EMS), which is reportedly among the winners. He also stated he will request assistance from the District Court in Zilina, responsible for monitoring the Register of Public Sector Partners, to verify the ultimate beneficial owners involved. „I will ask the District Court in Zilina, which oversees the so-called register of public sector partners, to help me verify the ultimate beneficiaries,” Sasko clarified. The minister repeatedly expressed concern over media reports about EMS and its alleged links to the Voice-SD party. „Oliver Baumann (son of EMS’s owner) – as far as I know – has permanent residence in the Old Town, same as I do. I may have seen him once or twice at Voice meetings, that’s all. I honestly have no idea what kind of company it is,” he said. „Yes, this bothers me, and it is one of the main reasons I have spent the last two days looking for ways to assure everyone that the process was fully transparent,” he added. Should suspicions of illegality in the competition be confirmed, Sasko said he is ready to take action, including within the Emergency Medical Services Operations Centre. „In my position, I will not cover for or defend anyone – no deals, no one. If something happened, and it is proven, there will be consequences – both personal and criminal. I guarantee that,” he stated. Responding to calls for his resignation, the minister said he is currently focused on resolving the situation. „Depending on how the situation is resolved, it is certainly possible to revisit that question,” he concluded. The tender in question, worth €2 billion, concerns the operation of 344 ground ambulance stations and seven helicopter emergency medical service units. It has drawn criticism from the governing Slovak National Party (SNS), opposition parties, and several professional associations. On Friday, opposition lawmakers submitted a motion in Parliament to express no confidence in Minister Sasko, claiming the tender is non-transparent and its winners predetermined. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has called on the minister to publicly address the questions causing concern. The Public Procurement Authority has also warned that the tender violates European regulations. mf/mcs