ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s The Indus Hospital (TIH) denied allegations on Saturday that evidence of large-scale fraud had been uncovered in its tuberculosis (TB) program by Switzerland-based ‘The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria,’ after news reports a day earlier said the Fund had cut its grant to the hospital following an investigation that uncovered $4.2 million in non-compliant expenses.
The Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than $4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries, including Pakistan, to fight tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria. It has disbursed over $697 million to Pakistan since 2003, and is the country’s biggest donor for HIV/AIDS and TB.
A report that is available with Arab News was published following an investigation by the Global Fund’s Office of the Inspector General into procurement fraud activities committed by The Indus Hospital TB Program in Pakistan between January 2016 and December 2018. The source of the investigation is a whistle-blower as per the report.
In an email exchange between Arab News and the Global Fund, the organization said the Indus Hospital TB program had been cut off as a recipient of their grant as of Dec. 31, 2020.
In response to these allegations, TIH said on Saturday the investigation’s report was still in draft form, and that the hospital would continue to be the principal recipient of The Global Fund’s grants in Pakistan.
“The report published in media is still in draft form and yet to reflect the feedback of various stakeholders including Government of Pakistan,” the statement from Indus Hospital’s CEO, Abdul Bari Khan, said.
“Media reports also mention that The Global Fund has discontinued all its grants to TIH. This information is also not true as TIG continues to be the principal recipient of The Global Fund grants in Pakistan with an increase of scope (from 18 to 36 districts) and budget,” the statement continued.
Arab News reported in August last year that The Global Fund had expressed dissatisfaction over the utilization of its grants in Pakistan and decided to invoke the Additional Safeguard Policy (ASP) to ensure “accountable use” of the funds.
Pakistani hospital denies Global Fund’s allegations of fraud in tuberculosis program
https://arab.news/pqk3s
Pakistani hospital denies Global Fund’s allegations of fraud in tuberculosis program
- Reports on Friday said the TB grant to hospital had been cut off following investigation that uncovered $4.2 million in fraud
- TIH says investigation report still in draft form and hospital remains principal recipient of The Global Fund’s grants
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
