The Tribunal de Contas do Amazonas (TCE-AM) has imposed fines on former health secretaries Simone Papaiz and Marcellus Campêlo, each amounting to R$ 68,000, due to irregularities found in the management of health contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021. This decision is part of a wider investigation into how resources for the pandemic were handled, specifically highlighting lapses associated with the management of the Hospital Nilton Lins and the procurement of 28 respirators that were deemed critical during that period.

Simone Papaiz took over the health department in April 2020 after her predecessor was replaced and was later arrested during the Operation Sangria investigations led by the Federal Police. She was succeeded by Marcellus Campêlo in July 2020, who also faced legal troubles arising from the same operation. These events have raised concerns among the public regarding the transparency and accountability of health management in the state during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.

The public release of these findings in the Electronic Official Gazette adds a layer of scrutiny to the handling of pandemic resources and could have implications for future health policy and governance in Amazonas. The decisions made by the TCE-AM reflect an ongoing effort to hold officials accountable for mismanagement during a critical time, ensuring that similar issues are not repeated in future health emergencies. This scrutiny is vital for rebuilding public trust in the government’s health administration post-pandemic.