Senčák was dismissed from the Health Ministry last December following a scandal involving the signing of overpriced contracts with external companies for supplying food to some major hospitals. He was also involved in the purchase of an overpriced CT scanner by Piešťany Hospital and the interruption of helicopter paramedics service in 2013 due to expired contracts that may have been partially responsible for the death of a female driver that had a car crash, according to SaS Chairman Richard Sulík.
“I took part in an MP audit in 2013, and I came to the conclusion that Senčák was personally responsible for not having helicopters contracted on time, which contributed to the death of the patient,” Sulík told the TASR newswire, adding that it is ridiculous that such a person should now supervise health care services.
ÚDZS spokeswoman Soňa Valášiková responded that Senčák meets all expert requirements to serve as deputy chairman. She noted that Senčák’s involvement in the aforementioned scandals has not been proven. She also added, as quoted by the SITA newswire, that the deputy chairman is selected by the chairperson in consultation with the board.