A person holds boxes containing test kits supplied by Viet A Technology Corporation. The prime minister has ordered expediting the investigation into the price gouging of Covid-19 test kits at the corporation - PHOTO: VNA

The Government leader also asked the competent agencies to take back appropriated assets and impose sanctions on violators of regulations at the earliest, the local media reported.

Amid the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, Viet A made use of the localities’ demand for Covid test kits and allegedly colluded with individuals and organizations to violate regulations on the production and bidding of Covid-19 test kits.

Therefore, besides the Ministry of Public Security, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Health and localities to direct the competent agencies to review and ensure the effective and transparent bidding, procurement and use of drugs, bioproducts, medical supplies and equipment, preventing losses, wastefulness, corruption and group interest.

In addition, the Ministries of Health, Planning-Investment, and Finance were assigned to address arising issues and obstacles during the purchase, bidding and use of these products and report issues that are beyond their jurisdiction to the prime minister.

PM Chinh also requested the Ministries of Information-Communications, Health, and Public Security and localities to enhance the propaganda, education and instruction of regulations on the purchase and bidding of drugs and medical equipment to enterprises, organizations and individuals, and publicize the results of the investigation, prosecution and judgment of violators in line with the law to reach a public consensus and bolster public confidence.

PM Chinh also hailed the Ministry of Public Security and other relevant agencies for implementing resolutions on enhancing the control over the purchase of medical supplies and equipment, improving the effectiveness of the fight against the pandemic.

Specifically, the ministry has actively worked with localities and agencies to promptly detect and investigate the violations of Viet A Technology Corporation and the relevant individuals and units.

Source: Saigon Times

Another corruption case in healthcare sector revealed

A new criminal case in which suspects inflated the price of rapid-test kit prices has been discovered. Previously, newspapers had reported turmoil in test kit prices.