NRW Shells Out Millions for Pandemic Advisers
In the whirlwind of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has shelled out a staggering 7.7 million euros to external consultants since 2020. The major chunk of this, approximately 6.2 million euros, went to a management consultancy, and this company played a pivotal role in financing coronavirus tests in schools.
Raking in the most moolah was Boston Consulting, which pocketed a whopping 6.2 million euros. This consultancy firm wrangled an assignment from the Ministry of Education, undertaking the undeniably complex PCR pool tests.
Besides Boston Consulting, a total of 14 organizations received funding, earning from consulting services. These included notable entities such as BGH University's Institute for Hygiene and Public Health (about 40,000 euros) and Cologne University Hospital (223,000 euros). Various law firms also managed to secure a slice of the pie.
Initial ripples of the pandemic surfaced in NRW in 2020, with the outbreak betraying the Gangelter Carnival's impact. Schools, kindergartens, and other gathering places were shut down as a preemptive measure to curb the virus's spread.
Collaborating with the federal government, NRW coordinated its pandemic management activities with the Conference of the Premiers of the Länder (MPK), effectively working together for decision-making and coordination. The German government implemented economic stimulus measures such as business support, tax cuts, and a furlough scheme - all applicable to NRW to help bolster the region's economy.
Putting the pieces together, the NRW government invested heavily in external consulting services, roping in Boston Consulting to oversee complex PCR pool tests. Additionally, various scientific institutions and legal firms stepped up to offer their expertise in managing diseases related to Covid-19, like corona.
Further digging is required to unearth the specifics of the actual expenditure and organizations that received the most funding in the context of external consulting services aimed at COVID-19 management in NRW. Official government reports or financial statements from NRW's relevant authorities may yield such insights.
