Allegations have been raised against a director of the health directorate, Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, accusing him of trying to misappropriate over Tk9 lakh from the funds of the country’s influenza programme.
Shahid Md Sadiqul Islam, a deputy programme manager (DPM) of the influenza programme, claimed that Dr Be-Nazir, who is also the line director of the programme, received Tk930,850 that was withdrawn using a cheque that named Sadiqul as the bearer.
Sadiqul also alleged that when he challenged the line director about the withdrawn money, Dr Be-Nazir directed him to accept a money receipt without raising any questions.
The DPM later officially submitted an application to the DG of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the health secretary, accusing Dr Be-Nazir of trying to embezzle the money.
In his application, Sadiqul mentioned that as the legal drawing disbursement officer for the influenza programme, Dr Be-Nazir had the authority to withdraw any amount of money from the bank account concerned. However, the line director chose to issue a cheque using the DPM’s name, allegedly to pocket the withdrawn money.
When contacted, Sadiqul confirmed that he had submitted the application, but refused to comment in detail without the permission of the DGHS director general.
Sources said Sadiqul had filed a general diary with the police as well as collecting written statements from two office assistants who had withdrawn the money on behalf of Dr Be-Nazir.
Dr Md Shah Newaz, director (administration) of the DGHS, told the Dhaka Tribune that they are now looking into the allegation, adding that an inquiry committee is usually formed to enquire into such claims.
Meanwhile, Dr Be-Nazir termed the allegations false and counter-accused Sadiqul of preparing false bills and failing to run the influenza programme properly. Claiming that he did not use the withdrawn funds, the line director said the money was kept under the custody of his personal assistant.
As the DPM of the programme was not present, two deputy directors of Communicable Disease Control (CDC) later spent around Tk8 lakh from the withdrawn amount to organise training sessions under the influenza programme; while the rest of the money will be used for the next session, Dr Be-Nazir added.