An audit by the Executive Branch exposed serious irregularities in Jorge Brítez's management of the Social Insurance Institute (IPS). The report, presented by Auditor General Alberto Cabrera, indicates that of approximately 100 recommendations issued by internal audits and control bodies, only two were implemented—a compliance rate of a mere 2.5%. The data was confirmed by the current president of IPS, Isaías Fretes, who described the internal control system as “extremely fragile.”
Among the most serious failures, the audit identified the existence of two parallel accounting systems. According to Cabrera, the records show “abysmal” differences in balances, making it difficult to reconcile assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. “There must be a single accounting system for it to be reliable and transparent,” he stated. The auditor avoided disclosing exact figures but mentioned that the discrepancies in debts to suppliers are “enormous and very significant.”
Another critical point involves medication control. The audit revealed that the IPS Board of Directors approved payments to suppliers based on a simple “record of presentation” of the products, without guaranteeing they were actually delivered to the Sanitary Park. Cabrera explained that, in some cases, the supplier would arrive at the warehouse, be informed of a lack of space, and remove the medications, yet still receive a document allowing payment. “In the samples we collected, we found no deliveries,” he denounced.
The report also highlights that IPS did not respond to most recommendations from previous audits, which, according to experts, turns control mechanisms into mere bureaucratic documents. Isaías Fretes announced corrective measures, such as eliminating 817 medical supplies deemed unnecessary and updating the medication formulary, as part of a restructuring plan.
The audit was forwarded to President Santiago Peña, according to Cabrera. The case increases pressure on the Public Prosecutor's Office and control bodies, amid previous allegations of alleged multi-million-dollar asset losses during Brítez's management.