Risk of conflict of interest at the University Hospitals of Geneva

The President of the Geneva Council of State Nathalie Fontanet spoke about a possible conflict of interest at the head of the HUG

Photo: KEYSTONE/MARTIAL TREZZINI

La Tribune de Genève and Le Temps revealed on Wednesday that the vice-president of the board of directors of the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) is the wife of a senior executive of the Cantonal Health Office. A risk of conflict of interest exists.

The Geneva Council of State was not informed of this link when it appointed the administrator, the president of the government, Nathalie Fontanet, told the media on Wednesday. The situation must be examined in advance by the department concerned. In this case, it is the Department of Health and Mobility (DSM).

During an appointment, a person’s interests are not known to the executive. They are subsequently transmitted to the Chancellery by the person appointed in order to be able to make them public if a request is made, explained the State Councilor in substance.

The case of the HUG was discussed by the government, once the link between the vice-president of the board of directors and the senior civil servant was known, said Ms. Fontanet. The executive was reassured by the guarantees given by State Councilor Pierre Maudet, in charge of the DSM, on the search for a solution.

/ATS