The National Anticorruption Center is to examine thousands of persons who are suspected of being involved in schemes to sell fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates. Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said representatives of the Ministry identified a number of abuses in the process of administering vaccines against COVID-19, including the issuing of fake vaccine certificates for several hundred euros. The mister noted that if they are found guilty, the involved persons will serve jail terms of at most seven years, IPN reports.
Amid Moldovans’ increased reluctance to get a vaccine, the black market for false vaccine certificates reached alarming proportions. The Ministry of Health said tens of relevant schemes of corruption were identified, including in district health centers.
“When I came to the Ministry, I launched an internal inquiry and identified with horror thousands of suspects. It is a big shame for the health system. The health of the citizens to whom this fake certificate was issued is in danger. Furthermore, these people will go to all the places that can be visited by vaccinated persons only and will infect the others. The persons involved in such schemes underestimated the penalty for such abuses,” Ala Nemerenco stated in the program “Secrets of the Power” on Jurnal TV channel.
The minister noted that after the data from the Ministry’s information system were furnished, the responsible bodies should ensure the continuity of the process of identifying corrupt persons.
“The information was presented to the NAC, the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office. We also cooperated with the SIS, but the complete investigation of these cases is outside the powers of the Ministry of Health. We have names of doctors, medical assistants, health centers in which this business is developed. In accordance with the legislation, the involved persons face two to seven years behind bars,” stated Ala Nemerenco.
According to official data, the national rate of vaccination with one dose is 20.6%, while with two doses is 18.6%. The highest vaccination rate, of 88.5%, was reported among health workers.
