Comptroller announces audit of Health Ministry amid conflict of interest questions

Panama's Comptroller General, Anel Flores, has pledged to conduct an audit of the Ministry of Health with "the rigor of the law" following a formal request from Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo. The audit comes amid questions surrounding a potential conflict of interest involving Galindo and the company Bio Materiales S.A., which has participated in ministry contracts.

Minister Galindo requested the comprehensive review to address concerns and demonstrate the transparency of his administration's decisions since he assumed office on July 1, 2024. He seeks to prove that no personal benefits were derived from contracts signed by the ministry during his tenure.

Comptroller Flores, speaking while inspecting public works in the interior of the country, confirmed he had not yet seen the minister's letter but assured that the request would be addressed. He acknowledged the delicate nature of conflict of interest issues in Panama, noting that the country's small size and limited pool of professionals in certain sectors, like medicine and construction, can create complex situations. "We have to be very careful with the issue of conflict of interest, and that is what we are going to see in the audits we are going to do," Flores stated.

Flores's remarks were made during a national tour to verify the status of public projects funded by taxpayer money. He emphasized the importance of ensuring public funds are secured and used effectively for the benefit of Panamanians, citing unfinished projects like a delayed barracks construction as examples of resources not serving the public's needs.