Reginald Decreane clarified that the erstwhile director of the hospital group, Claude Schummer, had mentioned a potential purchase, but a concrete order had not been placed. Decreane added that this would have only been the case if the vaccine were to be made available to the private market.
Surprise, shock and confusion: A number of MPs on the parliamentary health committee have reacted to the claims that the Robert Schuman hospital group allegedly placed an order for 100,000 doses of the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine.
If the story were true, it would represent gross injustice, said LSAP MP Mars Di Bartolomeo. The hospital should conduct business through the official channels of the Ministry of Health. CSV leader Martine Hansen agreed that the purchase was unacceptable and vaccines should not be ordered or purchased for private patients. Furthermore, she questioned the alleged amount of doses ordered by the hospital: “How is it possible that a hospital can order 100,000 units? If it really is that easy, then the government needs to increase its efforts so that we move ahead faster.”
MP Sven Clement (the Pirate Party) showed himself surprised over the HRS press release, noting that the document opens more questions than it answers: “Whose initiative was this, who knew about it? Where are these vaccine doses supposed to come from? Are they being bought from states that actually need them more urgently?”
MP Marc Baum (the Left) also commented on the controversy: “This is unprecedented in Luxembourgish health politics and history!”
When it comes to the future of hospital director Claude Schummer, the press release leaves room for interpretation. Di Bartolomeo noted that he does not believe Schummer to have ordered additional vaccine doses in secret, just like he does not believe the director to have ordered the vaccination of board members all by himself.
Clement also stated his belief that it seems as though all the blame is being put on one person, which he deems proof for an abuse of power paired with arrogance on the part of the board members. Both Hansen and Baum noted that the management system of hospitals needs to be re-evaluated.
Minister Lenert stated that she will further investigate the issue and that she was not aware of any additional vaccine orders. However, she also acknowledged not being certain whether it was even possible for a hospital to make an independent order. She explained: “The supply chain is clearly defined, vaccines can only be sold to governments. They are different than other tools, such as masks or tests.”
Minister Lenert was meanwhile unwilling to comment on the future of HRS director Claude Schummer.
