Emergency Medical Solutions, a company with ties to the Hlas party, anticipated millions in profits from an ambulance tender but never obtained the necessary licenses and ultimately did not take possession of the ambulances after the tender was canceled.
Emergency Medical Solutions (EMS), which had expected to be one of the successful companies in an ambulance tender, predicted millions in profits over six years based on documents obtained by Denník N. However, the company had never previously acquired a license for ambulance services, raising questions about its ability to fulfill its commitments. The tender process also revealed various connections between EMS and the Hlas political party, complicating the situation further.
Prior to the tender, EMS signed a contract to purchase 109 ambulances, banking on substantial income from the expected contract. However, after the Minister of Health, Kamil Šaško, who is associated with Hlas, canceled the tender, the company failed to take possession of the vehicles. The controversy surrounding the tender has led to significant political backlash, with partners in the coalition criticizing Šaško's handling of the process and Prime Minister Robert Fico threatening to dismiss him.
Critics have described the tender as a scandal, indicating that from its inception, many saw it as fraught with issues. Vice Prime Minister Tomáš Taraba characterized it as a mess right from the start, highlighting the operational and ethical problems associated with the tender that resulted in public mistrust and political ramifications for those involved. The case raises broader concerns about governance, accountability, and the integrity of public procurement in Slovakia.
