OREANDA-NEWS. August 10, 2010. Dmitry Medvedev issued instructions to the Government aimed at raising budget spending efficiency and preventing corruption in tenders for the procurement of medical equipment for state and municipal needs.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin received instructions to design an effective system for monitoring such purchases; to draft proposals for amending legislation on placing orders for the procurement of medical equipment at manufacturers’ prices; to offer uniform technical requirements to the high-tech medical equipment to be purchased and its maintenance. The deadline for fulfilling the instructions is February 1, 2011.

Minister of Healthcare and Social Development Tatyana Golikova and senior regional officials have been instructed to bring to justice the officials responsible for the inefficient use of public funds in the procurement of medical equipment, and to ensure its effective use.

The heads of relevant agencies have been ordered to develop and implement a set of joint measures to intensify the fight against fraudulent procurement of goods and services for state and municipal needs. They have also been instructed to carry out inspections based on the reports of the Presidential Control Directorate, to initiate criminal proceedings and conduct investigations.

Presidential Aide and Chief of the Presidential Control Directorate Konstantin Chuychenko received instructions to establish a working group comprising representatives of law enforcement agencies and federal executive bodies to monitor the budget spending efficiency in the purchase of goods and services for state and municipal needs.