The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has blacklisted 14 contractors for their alleged involvement in corruption in the procurement of equipment for various medical colleges and hospitals and misappropriation of government funds.
A press release signed by Md Belal Hossain, director of DGHS (Administration), was issued in this regard on Thursday, reports Bangla Tribune.
The DGHS instructed hospitals across Bangladesh not to involve the blacklisted contractors in any purchase of medical equipment.
The order came following recommendations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Earlier, on June 9, the Ministry of Health sent a letter to the DGHS to take necessary action against the owners of these contractors and institutions based on the recommendations of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
One of the blacklisted suppliers is Rubina Khanam, owner of Rahman Trade International and a clothing store named Rupa Fashion, who is the wife of Abzal Hossain, an accountant at the DGHS.
Other blacklisted suppliers include Abdullah Al Mamun, owner of Anik Traders; Munshi Farrukh Hossain, owner of Ahmed Enterprise; Manzur Ahmed, owner of SK Traders and Manila Medicine; Mohammed Joynal Abedin of Ovi Drugs; Md Alamgir Hossain of Albira Pharmacy; Mohammad Mintu of SM Traders; Md Abdus Sattar Sarkar and Md Ahsan Habib of Mercantile Trade International; Md Zaher Uddin Sarkar of Bengal Scientific and Surgical Company; Asadur Rahman of Universal Trade Corporation; Aftab Ahmed of ASL, and Moksedul Islam, owner of Blair Aviation.
Earlier on December 12, the ACC wrote to the cabinet secretary recommending a blacklisting of the medical equipment suppliers, as they found evidence of irregularities during an investigation.
They found that these suppliers, with connections with officials within the Health Ministry and its agencies, had formed a syndicate, embezzling thousands of crores of taka over the years by supplying equipment that was not required, and charging exorbitant prices for them.
The ACC filed nine cases against these contractors in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
In its report, the anti-graft watchdog said it had found irregularities in the purchase of heavy machinery and medical equipment at various medical colleges and hospitals that are under the authority of the DGHS.
In some cases, they charged prices several times higher than the market prices of the equipment, or they charged by providing fraudulent bills, showing purchases on paper only and taking the money without supplying any equipment.
The ACC also recommended taking action against ministry employees who are involved in the scam.
