Source: El Heraldo

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

The businessman, Shucri Kafie, voluntarily presented himself before justice due to the statements issued regarding the case involving Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social (IHSS). As mentioned in Dimesa’s official statement sent to El Heraldo and quoted below: “The businessman, Schucry Kafie, addresses the false accusations against him, rejects any reference against himself or Dimesa, and at the same time confirms his right to, voluntarily and authorized by the court, demonstrate his adherence to the law.”

Schucry  Kafie heads a national business group committed to the country, which has invested in the development of Honduras for over 75 years. Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social (IHSS) unilaterally determined the cancellation of the contract held with Dimesa. It should be emphasized that, contrary to what has been reported in some media, this agreement cannot be viewed as a simple quote for the value of the equipment, but as an integral service covering much more than just the provision of equipment. This included, in addition to the financing, maintenance and parts supply, repairs, spare parts and accessories, as well as training sessions.

DIMESA’s technical team at IHSS’s service included 85 health professionals, specialized in biomedicine. There is documentation that support the costs proposed for both the equipment as for services rendered. In 2011, Dimesa signed a contract for comprehensive services with Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social (IHSS), through a competitive international bidding process after going through all the legal steps and governmental organizations for approval. The contract lasted 84 months, equivalent to seven years, but the Board of Auditors interrupted such in the 40th month after terminating it on January 31, 2015. From this date forward, DIMESA ceased providing services. This agreement made it possible to care for more than 50,000 additional annual patients, substantially increasing patient care in various medical needs within the IHSS, since the beginning of the contract in 2011.

Today, IHSS owns the most modern biomedical equipment of all the hospitals in Honduras as can be seen by visiting its facilities. The contract included:

• 558 new-tech equipment included MRI’s, CT, X-Rays with fluoroscopy, towers for neurosurgeries, mechanical ventilators, neonatal incubators, towers for endourology, among other new equipment;
• 190 radiation protection accessories;
• immediate repair of the 350 equipment already installed at IHSS;
• Dimesa financed all these equipments and provided the training, preventive and remedial monthly maintenance, supply of unlimited parts, spares, and accessories up to the termination date.
• A team of 85 health professionals (70 biomedical and 15 supervisors) specialized at high level medical care. Dimesa has carried out an orderly transition of responsibilities in which full operation of the equipment and services did not affect the patients.
• Provided maintenance, preventive and corrective, with an unlimited supply of spare parts for all the 908 pieces of equipment that make up the contract.

“We are a 36 year old company in the health industry. Our priority is Honduran people’s health.”