Bosnia: imported ventilators from China useless for COVID-19

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Bosnia’s state prosecutors say about a hundred ventilators imported from China by a private company and paid for by country's government have been found to be useless for COVID-19 patients.

little kwn fruit-processing firm, with license to import medical equipment, was granted 5 million euros ($5.5 million) to get equipment to small Balkan country amid pandemic.

But after a public outcry over why company, called Silver Raspberry and with ties to Bosnia's political establishment, received lucrative deal, state prosecutor office opened an investigation into possible corruption and fraud.

In ir initial report, prosecutors said in a statement on Monday that imported ventilators “do t meet even a minimum of necessary characteristics for adequate treatment” of coronavirus patients.

“refore, it is t advisable to use those ventilators in intensive care units,” statement said.

company owner has rejected accusations that he imported breathing machines at highly inflated prices. He said he used his business connections in China to accomplish what he called a “humanitarian mission.”

graft allegations have come as surprise in Bosnia, which is ranked poorly on Transparency International’s annual global corruption list. watchdog group last year placed Bosnia 101st out of 180 countries.

Experts have warned that COVID-19 pandemic, which caught officials in many countries unprepared and ill-equipped to meet need for protective gear and ventilators, has created new opportunities for graft as governments rushed to get supplies.