November 4, 2020
How ASJ is working for a stronger health system in response to COVID-19
For years, ASJ (formerly known as AJS) has conducted more than 15 national transparency reports that shed light on how the Honduran government can better provide health, security, and education.
When COVID-19 cases appeared in Honduras, we knew the poor would be the most impacted and that it was essential to examine whether the national response was benefiting the public good.
With this conviction,
ASJ started auditing $80 million worth of purchases by one government institution called INVEST-H.
Purchases audited by ASJ:
COVID-19 test kits
Mobile hospitals
Ventilators
Biosecurity equipment
Over 20 staff members with expertise in medical purchases and data analysis worked tirelessly to compare these purchases’ prices, quality, and delivery times. We called suppliers across the world, studied best practices from the region, and tracked down paper trails for corruption. After months of investigation, we were greatly disturbed to see how INVEST-H’s lack of planning and nontransparent decision-making had put more Hondurans at risk.
For example, INVEST-H bought incomplete COVID-19 test kits and improperly stored them, causing them to spoil. In addition, it invested in over-priced mobile hospitals instead of existing hospitals, only for them to arrive months late. Because of this work and the advocacy of many, the director of INVEST-H has since been arrested on charges of misuse of public funds.
As we mourn how corruption results in loss of life, we don’t give up hope that things can change. We know that Honduran institutions can be equipped to protect public health, because we’ve seen it done well. In 2013, ASJ accompanied Honduras’ Health Ministry and the UN in creating a special body to transparently manage certain medicine purchases.
This trust also made purchases during the pandemic and complied with transparency protocols 93% of the time!
It may just seem like paperwork, but these transparent processes make a big difference in the lives of Hondurans seeking safe, affordable medicines and care. We continue to call for reforms that will make the Honduran health system work for everyone.
See the full list of our COVID-19 purchasing reports in Spanish >
