A controversial public procurement case in Albania’s healthcare sector has raised fresh concerns over transparency and competition in state tenders.
The dispute centers on a tender issued by the Operator of Centralized Purchases for “Lot 4: Sutures for Cardiac Surgery,” with a reported limit fund of approximately €843,000 (excluding VAT). The winning bid, submitted by “Evita” shpk, reached about 79.4 million lekë (over €1 million with VAT), or roughly 94.1% of the limit fund—prompting scrutiny from observers and media in Albania.
According to available procurement data, only two companies participated in the procedure. While “Evita” submitted a financial offer, the second bidder reportedly did not present a monetary bid, effectively leaving no real competition in the process. Analysts note that such scenarios can raise red flags in public procurement practices, particularly when the winning bid closely approaches the maximum allowed value.
The case has drawn additional attention due to prior reports of investigations by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) into business activities linked to figures in the healthcare sector. While no official conclusions have been announced in relation to this specific tender, the situation has fueled public debate over oversight mechanisms and institutional accountability in Albania and the wider Balkans.
Authorities have not yet issued a formal response to the concerns raised. Transparency advocates are calling for a thorough review of the procedure to ensure compliance with procurement laws and fair competition standards.