Probe underway into irregularities in Bandarban health procurement

Allegations of widespread irregularities and corruption have surfaced over the procurement of medicines and medical equipment worth nearly Tk4 crore by the Bandarban District Health Department, prompting an official investigation.

The allegations centre on the tender process and the approval of final payments for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies for Bandarban Sadar Hospital. Following the complaints, the Bandarban Hill District Council suspended the release of payment cheques to the contractor.

The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs ordered an investigation into the allegations. Although the inquiry was completed on Wednesday, the investigation report has yet to be submitted.

Nazrul Islam, chief executive officer of the Bandarban Hill District Council and convener of the investigation committee, said the report would be submitted on Thursday or Friday.

Civil Surgeon Dr Shahin Chowdhury said tenders were invited in March for the procurement of medicines and medical equipment worth around Tk4 crore for Bandarban Sadar Hospital. After the tender process was completed, the work order was issued to the contractor on 13 June.

He said 80-90% of the medicines and medical supplies had already been delivered, while the remaining items were being supplied in accordance with the contract.

However, complainants alleged that although the tender was conducted through the electronic government procurement (e-GP) system, confidential price codes were leaked, enabling favoured contractors to secure the contracts.

According to the allegations, MSN Healthcare won five of the six procurement packages, while the remaining package was awarded to M/S Alamgir Traders.

Rejecting the allegations, the civil surgeon said the e-GP system leaves no scope for favouring any bidder and denied any involvement of the health department in irregularities.

The allegations also claim that the health department approved the contractor's final bill before receiving all the procured goods and subsequently attempted to facilitate the release of the payment cheque.

Dr Sanai Pru, a member of the Bandarban Hill District Council and convener of the committee responsible for receiving the supplies, said he was not present when the goods were received and had not been informed about the process.

He said his signature was taken on the goods-receipt documents during a coordination meeting of the district health department on 25 June.

"I noticed on that day that the other members of the committee had already signed the documents acknowledging receipt of the goods," he said.

Sources at the Bandarban Hill District Council said the district health department submitted a bill of nearly Tk4 crore on 28 June for payment to the contractor. Although the cheque had been prepared, its release was suspended following the ministry's directive amid allegations of irregularities.

Meanwhile, on 1 July, while investigators were conducting the inquiry at the office of the superintendent of Bandarban Sadar Hospital, workers were seen unloading medicines and medical supplies from trucks into the warehouse of the Civil Surgeon's Office on behalf of MSN Healthcare in a neighbouring building.