The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating alleged embezzlement over the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for containing the spread of coronavirus, according to a special report of the corruption watchdog’s intelligence division.
“The ACC is conducting speedy investigation into the alleged involvement of some officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) over embezzlement of vast amount of money (crores of Taka) in the name of supplying to various hospitals including purchase of substandard masks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other equipment through various irregularities and corruption for the purpose of the treatment of the novel coronavirus,” it said.
The report, signed by Mir Mohammad Zainul Abedin Shibli, director of the ACC's intelligence division, was submitted to the ACC chairman Iqbal Mahmood, according to an ACC statement issued on Friday.
Various legal actions taken by the ACC on various irregularities (such as filing lawsuits, charges, arrests, inquiries, and collecting data from different persons, sources and agencies) and corruption regarding government social security programmmes, graft in the health sector, embezzlement of food items from different government food warehouses and illegal wealth amassed beyond known sources of income were informed to the ACC chief through the report.
The anti-graft watchdog agency had filed 23 cases in the past three months on various charges including relief corruption, embezzlement of food items from government food warehouses and illegal wealth amassed beyond known sources of income.
Regarding the report, the chairman said the ACC pursues its zero-tolerance policy to end corruption in the health sector.
Mr Iqbal told the concerned ACC officials that the ACC was doing its legal responsibilities in a very unfavorable atmosphere amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The coronavirus has so far claimed the precious lives of two ACC officials. More than 15 officers and employees are still receiving treatment. Many family members are also infected with the virus, he pointed out.
Every official and employee must conduct official activities in line with the health guidelines, Mr Mahmood stated.
Regarding corruption in the health sector, the ACC chairman insisted that the present commission took several remedial and preventive measures to curb corruption in the health sector.
The commission formed an 'institutional team' in 2017 to prevent corruption in the health sector, he added.
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