BOLIVIAN health minister Marcelo Navajas was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a corruption scandal involving the purchase of overpriced ventilators.

Mr Navajas was sacked and replaced by his deputy, Eidy Roca, who had previously been responsible for mapping the coronavirus pandemic.

Police chief Ivan Rojas confirmed the arrest following investigations into a $5 million (£4m) bill for just 179 ventilators bought from a manufacturer in Spain — a cost of $27,683 (£22,640) each.