Massive purchase corruption at the orthopedic hospital

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Dipu Sarwar
Published : 06:00, Nov 16, 2018 | Updated : 06:00, Nov 16, 2018

Reportedly, there is massive corruption in the purchasing of surgical items, chemical reagents and five hundred other medicines at the National Orthopedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre.
There are many items which other hospitals buy for Tk. 229 while the orthopaedic hospital, as it’s widely known, pays a rate which is 22.7 times higher, a Bangla Tribune investigation has found.
Just as an example, DMCH buys each piece of IV cannula for Tk. 9 paise 58 while the same item is bought at the orthopaedic hospital three times more at Tk. 35 paise 4.
It’s believed that a six-member syndicate controls the procurement work of the hospital.
The body includes four contractors and two officials of the hospital.
They are in charge of everything though they do not have a drug licence.
In August 2016, ACC recorded a complaint about the syndicate.
In November of the same year, ACC deputy secretary, Mainuddin Chowdhury, sent a letter to the ministry of health asking for steps to be taken.
The purchasing irregularity affects all aspects of the orthopaedic hospital. For instance, every sheet of surgical bandage costs Tk. 75 which the DMCH buys for Tk. 88 while orthopaedic hospital gets it for Tk. 315.
In 2016-17, the budget for purchasing medicines and items was Tk. 150 million which stood at Tk. 245 million in 2018-19 fiscal year.
It’s found that the syndicate buys medicines worth Tk. 50-70 million from the wholesale market and makes a profit of Tk. 100 to 170 million.
Flouting rules, purchase tenders are never put on the website and usually printed in papers without any circulation.
Reportedly, the syndicate consists of Bithi Enterprise, Trauma Surgical, Neptune Enterprise and Anika Agency. Reportedly, they operate with support from the deputy director of the hospital, Dr A K M Zahiruddin and assistant accountant, Nazrul Islam.
Director of the orthopaedic hospital, Dr Abdul Gani, says: “we are alert about purchase price discrepancy and have warned relevant sections.”
Owner of Trauma Surgical, Sirajul Islam Shopon, says: “the difference in price is not our headache; the doctors in administration fix the rates and we supply as per the stated order.”
Of the five contracting agencies, four mentioned offices in Babar Road through their activities in the said addresses were not found.
It’s believed that the syndicate’s mastermind is Kamran Shahid Prince Mohammad, ousted health secretary of central Jubo League.
On accusations of occupying houses worth Tk. 90 million, belonging to minority people, he was expelled from AL.
Mohabbat is believed to have taken loans of up to 45 billion from several branches of BASIC Bank between 2009 and 2012.
“I do not supply too much medicine or other items and my agency supplies products at a lower rate than other contractors,” said Kamran Shahid Prince Mohabbat.
“I do everything by the book; there’s nothing illegal.”

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