The Ministry of Foreign Affairs purchased 19,000 ventilators for 2,000 hospital beds during Covid.

The National Investigation Office reported significant overspending in the procurement of ventilators by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. They purchased 19,000 ventilators despite insufficient hospital capacity, with only 800 to 2,000 beds available. Over 16,000 units were acquired by the ministry, raising concerns about the selection of intermediaries and the quality of the devices. The investigation began after a complaint was filed regarding potential embezzlement related to these purchases. Two suspects have been arrested, one for accounting and another for withdrawing cash from a foreign company's account. There is no evidence that the ministry verified the capabilities of a newly registered company involved in the procurement.