It was planned that this Wednesday, April 14, 2021, the former Minister of Health, Juan Carlos Zevallos, will appear, virtually, to defend him before the impeachment against him in the Supervision Commission.
However, he did not come and sent a statement with the evidence for his defense. In the document, he said that a score of times he has explained several of the issues for which he is accused in this process.
The documentation sent by Zevallos, contained in 59 pages, summarizes his actions as Minister of Public Health. For example, he detailed the actions that he implemented in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and assured that the country had limited economic capacity to purchase medical supplies and vaccines. Despite this, he said that he made possible the investment of USD 200 million for the acquisition of medical devices, equipment, medicines, COVID tests, hiring of personnel, establishment of the epidemiological strategy, among other needs for the care of the pandemic.
Regarding the irregularities in the delivery of disability cards, he mentioned that there were actions, such as the suspension of the access codes to the computer system, ordered an audit, the review of all the cards issued to verify compliance with the requirements established in the Law. In addition, it mentioned that 55 complaints were filed with the Prosecutor’s Office against 61 officials involved and 705 citizens who had incurred in obtaining the document, without having the right.
He also justified the dismissal of health personnel, in the midst of a health emergency, arguing that it was about optimizing human talent in hospitals.
Regarding the vaccine acquisition process, Zevallos reiterated that 20 million were negotiated, but that there is a confidentiality agreement, which prevents the delivery of information considered confidential.
There are 12 causes that would show the breach of functions of the former minister, who left the country a day after his resignation.
Assemblyman Ángel Sinmaleza, one of the proponents of the impeachment trial, said that the former minister, in his reply, limits himself to recounting a set of legal norms, which do not justify the breach of his duties.
For Pabel Muñoz, also a proponent of the process, Zevallos “limited himself to submitting evasive and general answers in writing,” so he will propose censorship.
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