The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of corruption in the purchase of masks and other health-care products.
The national anti-graft commission has formed a four-member team led by a director 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).
ACC spokesperson Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune.
The team is led by ACC Director Mir Md. Zainul Abedi Shibli. The other members are Deputy Director Md. Nurul Huda, Assistant Director Md. Saiduzzaman Nandan, and Ataur Rahman.
The investigation team will present a report to the commission, based on which it will take legal action against irregularities and corruption in the health sector.
Regarding the matter, ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud said that very important materials like masks and PPEs are related to the safety of the lives of doctors, nurses, and health workers. Therefore, the commission will fulfill its legal duty to bring the culprits to justice by revealing the truth of these allegations. Those who are involved must be held accountable.
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 responsibility of supplying masks made in the United States.
When the masks were supplied to several hospitals, including 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 say anything about its content.
