Tk 44.36 billion project returned over corruption concerns

The Health Services Division had sought approval for a project to implement various activities aimed at reducing the transmission and death rates of tuberculosis, HIV and malaria. Approval was also sought for a project to reduce illness and deaths related to maternal and newborn health and major noncommunicable diseases. Despite their importance, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) returned the two development projects in the health sector. Concerns over corruption and questions raised about the project proposals emerged as the reasons behind the decisions.

A reliable ECNEC source confirmed the information to Agamir Somoy. The two projects had a combined estimated cost of Tk 44.36 billion. Of this amount, Tk 32.4465 billion was to come from government funds and the remainder from foreign loans and grants. Despite their public importance, concerns over corruption and various questions about the proposals prompted the decision. Following the decision taken at an ECNEC meeting on September 29, the Planning Commission recently returned the proposals to the relevant ministry. However, Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairman Tarique Rahman instructed the authorities to revise the projects, address the questions raised and resubmit them to ECNEC.

Planning Secretary S M Shakil Akhtar also spoke to Agamir Somoy about the two projects. He said, “In many cases, the costs were estimated too high. There was also limited alignment with the current strategic document. For these reasons, the two projects were not approved. However, if the DPPs (Development Project Proposals) are revised in line with ECNEC’s instructions and recommendations, they will be presented to ECNEC again. I can say that they will certainly be approved, considering their importance to the public.”

One of the projects presented to ECNEC was titled Integrated Health System Response to Fight Against TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria in Bangladesh. Its total estimated cost was Tk 40.3906 billion. Of this amount, Tk 31.6888 billion was to come from government funds and Tk 8.7017 billion from grants provided by the Global Fund. If approved, the Health Services Division was scheduled to implement the project from this year through June 2029.

The project’s main objective was to implement various activities to reduce the transmission and death rates of tuberculosis, HIV and malaria through sustainable improvements in health management. Its major activities also included purchasing contraceptives, medical and surgical supplies, medicines and vaccines, and providing nutritional support to 835,680 people.

An official who attended the ECNEC meeting said Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan spoke about the project. He said, “Although the proposed budget for the project is almost 10 times higher, the population covered by it is relatively limited. The project has been proposed solely to provide treatment to people affected by three diseases. Considering the target population, the project cost appears to be high.”

Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said at the meeting, “The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating allegations of corruption against some officials of the Central Medical Supplies Depot. We must remain vigilant to ensure that the CMSD does not make unjustified profits from the project.”

He also alleged that high-quality vehicles and expensive equipment provided in the past under the World Health Organization or other funding programs had remained unused in many hospitals. He stressed the need to ensure their proper use. He also proposed rationalizing malaria and tuberculosis control services across all 64 districts to ensure that activities were implemented evenly throughout the country rather than being restricted to specific areas.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain said, “The number of tuberculosis and HIV patients in the country is increasing at an alarming rate, requiring long-term government support for treatment. Procurement in the health sector is not carried out solely by the Central Medical Supplies Depot. The Directorate General of Health Services, district hospitals and upazila-level facilities also procure supplies independently. In addition, the committees at the upazila level include members of parliament, doctors and prominent local residents. Government circulars can be amended if necessary to increase local people’s participation.”

After hearing from everyone, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman questioned whether the proposed spending on advertising, conferences and seminars under the project had been reasonably determined. He instructed the authorities to answer all the questions raised, address procurement irregularities and revise the monitoring system before presenting the project again at a subsequent meeting.

The other proposed project was titled Health System Strengthening Through MNCH Service Improvement and NCDs Control. Its total estimated cost was Tk 3.9681 billion. Of this amount, Tk 757.7 million was to come from government funds and Tk 3.21 billion from a loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

If approved, the Directorate General of Health Services and the Community Clinic Health Assistance Trust were scheduled to implement the project from this year through June 2028.

The project’s objective was to strengthen the country’s primary and secondary healthcare systems by improving maternal, newborn and child health services and noncommunicable disease control. This was intended to reduce illness and deaths related to maternal and newborn health and major noncommunicable diseases.

At the ECNEC meeting, Local Government Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan spoke about the project. He said, “Ordinary people lack confidence in public healthcare services. As a result, people are forced to seek treatment at private hospitals or abroad even when they cannot afford it. The project is very important for providing healthcare to poor people at the grassroots level. Considering the misuse and failures of the community clinic system in the past, it is essential to implement the activities properly this time and restore public confidence.”

In this context, the Health and Family Welfare Minister said, “Local monitoring and control committees can be formed to prevent corruption and irregularities in procurement activities, training and medicine supplies under the project. Health screening services will be launched door to door through the establishment of Family Wellbeing Centers at the union level.”

Social Welfare Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain alleged, “Existing community clinics lack qualified doctors. In the past, instead of recruiting trained personnel for these clinics, only party loyalists were appointed. As a result, people have been deprived of the services they need.”

The prime minister pointed out that the project did not cover all upazilas and raised concerns about duplication with other family welfare programs. He instructed the authorities to reassess the project and reorganize its activities.

He said, “It must be ensured that the public receives the full benefits of the money spent on this project. Therefore, instead of approving the proposed project, it is necessary to consult with the relevant officials of the Health Ministry, examine the project more thoroughly and restructure it.”