Probe into 'theft' of medicine from govt hospitals stalled

The alleged theft was being investigated by a one member probe committee headed by Dr Habibur Rahman of Satkhira Sadar Hospital. But its activities came to a halt following a recent order from the office of the Director General of Health (DG Health) in Dhaka, sources here said.

The alleged anomalies were also detected during probe by officials of now defunct Bureau of Anti Corruption (now Anti Corruption Commission). The ACC can not carry on the probe now due to lack of necessary directive.

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The Satkhira Civil Surgeon and the ACC officials, when contacted on Saturday, confirmed suspension of the probe.

Some health officials here claimed that the probe has been stopped following "strong lobbying" by the persons behind the pilferage. The Civil Surgeon and the ACC officials however declined to comment on this.

The theft was done in four years from 2000. This came to light when receipt of medicines from government stores and NGOs and their supply to government hospitals, recorded in registers, were reviewed.

After detection of anomalies, the Director General of Health formed a one-member probe committee headed by Dr Habibur Rahman of Satkhira Sadar Hospital and asked him to submit a report "as early as possible".

Another probe was started by the then Bureau of Anti-Corruption (now Anti Corruption Commission) in November last year. Inspector Wazed Gazi of the then BAC (now ACC) had started the investigation.

When contacted, Inspector Wazed Gazi said that in primary investigation he detected discrepancy in accounts in four years' registers of Satkhira Sadar Hospital and seven upazila hospitals. The registers were also seized by BAC. But the probe is stalled now due to "lack of directive", he said.

Citing examples, Satkhira ACC officials said, the then storekeeper at Satkhira Sadar Hospital had received at least 3,01,000 Amoxicillin (250mg) capsules from Bogra EDCL in 2000-01 financial year. From the lot, 1,57,000 capsules were supplied to seven upazila health centers, according to registers. The rest 1,44,000 capsules worth Tk 3,02,400 were "missing", they said.

Sources at Satkhira Civil Surgeons Office also corroborated the allegations.

During the primary investigation it was detected that medicines worth Tk 50 lakh supplied from government stores and NGOs as donation for distribution among flood affected people in 2000 were not recorded, sources in the ACC said. X-Ray films worth several lakh taka were also missing, they said.

When contacted, Dr. Habibur Rahman said he investigated the matter but the authorities stopped the probe committee's activities before submission of the report.

"So I have nothing to do but to sit idle now", he told this correspondent.

Satkhira Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Aziz Al Monsur, when contacted over phone on Saturday, said the probe committee's activities have been stopped by the office of the DG Health.

"The committee may start functioning if a fresh order comes. I have nothing to do till that time", he said.