IKEM found to have repeatedly violated procurement laws by Supreme Audit Office

The Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) has revealed significant financial mismanagement and repeated violations of procurement laws at IKEM, the Czech Republic’s largest transplantation center. An audit of 102 financial transactions totaling 905.3 million CZK found that in half of 30 reviewed contracts—valued at over 380 million CZK—legal norms were breached.

Key findings include awarding contracts to single suppliers without competition, splitting orders to bypass tender requirements, and accepting prices without verifying market rates. Specific instances involved IT services, cybersecurity, and surgical linen. In one case, IKEM paid 59.5 million CZK to three suppliers without competitive bidding, and in another, it purchased an experimental MRI machine for 72 million CZK based on a single quote without checking public price sources.

The audit also highlighted issues with asset disposal, noting that 77% of liquidated assets lacked proper documentation. Additionally, the NKÚ identified 17 cases of potential budgetary discipline violations worth over 182 million CZK. The NKÚ has recommended that the Ministry of Health implement more effective oversight of the institute’s finances. IKEM management stated they view the findings as serious and have already begun implementing corrective measures.