The health ministry has directed the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to form a probe body to investigate corruption allegations against Professor Dr Abdullah Al Shafi Mozumder, director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).
The ministry reportedly issued the directive on March 18 and directed the probe team to submit its report within three working days.
Several DGHS official told the Dhaka Tribune that a three-member probe committee has already been formed based on directive from DGHS Director General Dr Din Md Nurul Hoque. The committee is headed by DGHS Director (hospital and clinic) Dr ABM Abdul Hannan, while the other members are DGHS Dhaka Division Director Dr Md Abdur Rakib, and Dr Mahmud Hasan, the sources said.
The measures were taken after a doctor named Abul Kalam Azad recently submitted graft and other allegations against the NICVD director, as well as submitting copies of news reports published by national dailies in which the director was alleged of being involved with corruption.
Seeking anonymity, several senior officials of the health directorate told the Dhaka Tribune that such a directive from the ministry was not normal, adding that there might be other motives behind the order.
A top-level official of the DGHS, preferring to stay unnamed, claimed that an NICVD doctor – who is currently working at the Prime Minister’s Office – had influenced the ministry to form the probe committee, in order to settle his previous disputes with the institute’s director.
However, Dr Abdullah Al Shafi Mozumder denied all allegations against him and claimed that a quarter had been trying to humiliate him by providing false statements. He claimed that several committees had earlier carried out probes against him, but were unable to find anything.
Asked about the issue, DGHS Director (administration) Dr Shah Newaz admitted the formation of probe committee, but denied to comment any further.
