N95 mask scam: ACC summons JMI chief, 4 others

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned five businessmen, including the chairman of JMI Hospital Requisite Manufacturing Limited, for conducting a proper investigation over the allegations of corruption in the purchase of masks and other health-care products. 

A total of five letters, signed by ACC director Mir Mohammad Zainul Abedin Shibli, were issued in this regard on Wednesday. 

ACC Director (media) Pronob Kumar Bhattacharya confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.

The summoned traders are, JMI Hospital Requisite Manufacturing Ltd (JHRML) Chairman Abdur Razzak, Coordinator of Tama Construction and Co Ltd (medical team) Matiur Rahman, Chairman of Allan Corporation Limited Aminul Islam Amin, Director of Meditech Imaging Limited Humayun Kabir, and Chairman of Dhaka Central International Medical College and Hospital and owner of Lexicon Merchandise and Technocrat Limited Motazzerul Islam Mithu.

Of them, Abdur Razzak, Motiur Rahman and Aminul Islam Amin will have to appear at the ACC Headquarters on July 8, while Humayun Kabir and Motazzerul Islam Mithu is to appear on July 9, he said. 

In the letters, ACC Director Shibli wrote that statements of officials of the private companies were necessary for the investigation into allegations of embezzlement against officials of the health and family planning ministry and Directorate General of Health Services.

The accused allegedly embezzled tens of millions of takas in collusion with others by purchasing sub-standard masks, PPE and other health equipment for the treatment of Covid-19 patients through irregularities, corruption, and abuse of power, the letter added.

Earlier on June 18, ACC formed a four-member team led by ACC Director Mir Md. Zainul Abedi Shibli to fully investigate the allegations of irregularities, corruption, fraud, and forgery in the procurement of various protective materials, including N-95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPEs). 

JMI Hospital Requisite Manufacturing Ltd (JHRML) has been accused of putting health-care workers at risk of Covid-19 infection by supplying fake N95 masks to the Health Ministry.

ACC received allegations on this matter from multiple sources, including its own intelligence unit.

Earlier, the government allocated Tk100 crore to buy N95 masks for health-care workers who treat coronavirus patients.

The contractor, JMI Group, was given the order of supplying masks made in the United States.

When the masks were supplied to several hospitals, including the Mugda General Hospital in Dhaka, doctors questioned their quality.

The Ministry of Health reacted by forming an inquiry committee of its own. Although the committee submitted the inquiry report to the ministry, the committee’s head refused to reveal anything about its content.