Krajci: UVO's Findings concerning Agel Hospital in Levice Should Be Investigated

Bratislava, 25 August (TASR) - The findings of the Public Procurement Authority (UVO) regarding an alleged violation of the law by Agel Hospital in Levice in connection with the reconstruction contracts funded from the Recovery and Resilience Plan should be thoroughly investigated, MP and former health minister (2020-21) Marek Krajci ('Slovakia'-For the People-KU) told a press conference on Monday. He called on Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) to act in line with the law and report the findings to the National Implementation and Coordination Authority which is then required to notify the European Commission and the European Anti-Fraud Office. "I believe that minister Sasko, as well as Vice-premier [for EU Funds and the Recovery Plan] Peter Kmec (Voice-SD) will act in accordance with the law and that all these matters will not only be investigated in a standard manner, but also addressed at the EU level," Krajci said. There is a risk that, as a result, Slovakia will lose funds from the Recovery Plan, he reiterated. "Most likely, if the Health Ministry and the National Implementation and Coordination Authority act in line with the law, the European Commission will impose a reduction of the contribution, potentially by as much as ten million euros," Krajci stated. He also criticised the Agel company for statements that cost savings were achieved during the original hospital reconstruction in Levice, enabling the expansion of the modernisation scope. Krajci said the costs of the original project costs were overestimated, as previously confirmed by the Health Ministry’s inspection. "Levice isn't the only hospital that overestimated the costs it expects to incur in the reconstruction of its hospital. Agel Zvolen did the same thing," he added. Krajci warned on Friday (22 August) that Slovakia may lose further millions of euros from the Recovery and Resilience Plan due to alleged missteps by private hospitals. He pointed to the UVO's findings, according to which Agel Hospital in Levice violated the Public Procurement Act. Agel explained to TASR that cost savings were achieved during the original hospital reconstruction in Levice, thus enabling the expansion of the modernisation scope. According to Agel, the hospital in Levice acted in line with the principle of cost-effectiveness and followed legal requirements with the aim of using all available resources for the modernisation of the healthcare facility. jrg/mcs