ACC to probe corruption in COVID-19 safety gears procurement

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DHAKA, June 18, 2020 (BSS) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formed a four-member team to probe the alleged irregularities and corruption of the health sector in procuring coronavirus safety gears.

Earlier, the ACC decided to probe the alleged corruption in purchasing N-95 masks, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and other COVID-19 safety equipment, ACC spokesperson Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told BSS.

He said the four-member team, led by ACC director Mir Zainul Abedin Shibly, was formed to conduct a complete inquiry into the allegation.

The other members of the team are ACC deputy director Md Nurul Huda, and assistant directors Md Sayeduzzaman Nandan and Ataur Rahman.

Pranab said this team will submit its report to the Commission after completing its probe to procurement-related corruption in the health sector.

In a statement today, ACC chairman Iqbal Mahmood said masks and PPE are very important for the doctors, nurses and health workers to protect themselves from coronavirus infection.

So, he said, the national anti-graft agency will take legal action against those involved in corruption in procuring these coronavirus safety gears after completing its probe into the allegation.

Earlier, on April 24 last, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formed a committee to inquiry an allegation that low-quality COVID-19 safety equipment, including N-95 masks, were supplied to some public hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Physicians of some government hospitals, including Mugda General Hospital, complained of receiving substandard masks.