Meanwhile, IPPR's Public Policy Researcher Frederico Links questioned public procurement in the health sector.
 
Links said that long-standing weaknesses continue to affect accountability and service delivery.
 
Links noted that procurement in the health sector remains one of the most persistent areas of concern, with recurring allegations and investigations stretching over several years.
 
“Some of this is just trading old ground files. Some of the things that we see happen now are actually long-running scandals, long-running issues, and long-running challenges. Specifically, the specific sector, the half-sector, we procure for the longest time, has been a serious issue. It's also the matter of the issues in the procurement system, what's happening in half the procurement.”
 
He said there are repeated concerns around the procurement of medical supplies and hospital services.
 
Links called for improved transparency through better data systems and the rollout of e-procurement in the health sector, saying digital systems would help track spending and reduce risks of corruption.