The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to question some top officials of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) as part of its inquiry into the fake Covid-19 certificates and N95 masks scam in recent months.
Five DGHS officials will be questioned for inquiry purposes related to the investigation, ACC officials told Dhaka Tribune.
DGHS officials to be questioned include Additional Director General (Administration) Dr Nasima Sultana, Director (Hospitals & Clinics) Dr Md Aminul Hasan, Deputy Director (Hospital And Clinic) Dr Younus Ali, and Additional Director Shafiur Rahman,.
DGHS Director General Prof Dr Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad may also be questioned, they added.
The ACC has already conducted a primary inquiry and interrogation of the officials as part of its investigation into scams involving Regent Hospital, JKG Health Care and N-95 masks, said sources.
Earlier on July 10, ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmood said that those involved with corruption in the health sector will face justice once they are identified.
Moreover, the ACC chief also said: “We have checked the approval letter by several DGHS officials. So they will have to face the anti-graft commission if needed."
He also said ACC found names of some individuals from various sources after primary investigation, although the commission already has a huge cache of authentic documents, audio, video, and pictures of those involved in the Regent Hospital scam.
Meanwhile, the ACC questioned three officials of the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) on Sunday as part of its probe into the purchase corruption of N95 mask and personal protective equipment (PPE).
A four-member team led by ACC Director (Intelligence) Mir Md Zainul Abedin Shibli interrogated them.
The officials are -- CMSD Assistant Director (Administration) Dr Md Shahjahan, Additional Store Officer Dr Sabbir Ahmed, and Store Officer Kabir Ahmed.
On July 9, the ACC Secretary Dilwar Bakht said, as part of the investigation, ACC will summon officials of the Health Ministry and DGHS for questioning.
Dilwar also stated that health officials will also be summoned regarding the ongoing N-95 mask scandal. An ACC investigation is currently going on in that regard.
On July 13, the ACC decided to launch an investigation against the owner of Regent Hospital and Chairman of Regent Group Mohammad Shahed alias Shahed Karim.
The commission also formed a four-member committee, led by ACC Deputy Director Abu Bakar Siddique, to carry out a detailed probe into the allegations against Shahed.
On the same day, the commission also decided to investigate allegations against JKG Health Care Chairman Dr Sabrina Arif Chowdhury of providing fake Covid-19 certificates and amassing Tk8 crore illegally.
However, all DGHS officials in question denied their involvement and said they followed directions from the ministry, media reported.
The anti-graft watchdog told the media that it will also interrogate officials of the Ministry of Health and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), to ascertain if they are involved in the irregular activities of Regent Hospital, during the investigation.
Shahed was arrested while trying to cross the border to India on July 15.
