Rio Grande do Sul health contracts face investigation

Authorities in Rio Grande do Sul are investigating potential financial irregularities involving health sector contracts and amendments.

A formal complaint submitted to the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul questions a state health contract with RTS RIO S.A. for the rental of ICU equipment. Originally signed in 2018 as an emergency measure, the contract has been extended through 12 addenda over seven years, spanning two terms of Governor Eduardo Leite. The cumulative cost of the rental is estimated at approximately R$ 390 million. Critics argue that purchasing the equipment would have cost roughly R$ 90 million, suggesting a potential discrepancy of R$ 300 million.

In Porto Alegre, members of the Novo party have requested the installation of a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to investigate the management of health amendments. This move follows ‘Operação Cinesia’ by the Public Ministry, which investigated the alleged diversion of R$ 2 million from funds sent to Inovatech RS. The investigation focuses on whether resources intended for specific health projects were improperly transferred to general organizational funds to bypass financial controls.