The health department is set to open a probe over irregularities in procurement of books for government medical colleges.

The chief of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said on Saturday (Aug 31) that an inquiry will be opened to look into the allegations raised in a report by Bangla Tribune.

According to documents obtained by Bangla Tribune, the DGHS has been paying between double to over 15 times the market price for the medical books.

The health department paid Tk 85,500 for each copy of ‘Principal and Practice of Surgery,’ for the surgery students of Sheikh Sayera Khatun Medical College at Gopalganj although it's the market price is only Tk 5,500.

A total of Tk 850,000 was paid for 10 copies, which is a staggering Tk 800,000 more than the market price.

The irregularities and price discrepancies, however, isn’t limited to just one book but to all the 7,950 medical books the health department procured through two tenders for the state-owned medical colleges across the country for nearly Tk 70 million.

DGHS Director General Abul Kalam Azad told Bangla Tribune on Saturday, “We have already spoken to those involved in the procurement process. A probe body will be formed on Sunday.”

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Govt medical book purchase marred by irregularities