Request to investigate serious violations occurring at Bac Lieu Tuberculosis and Lung Hospital

On April 22, news from the Inspectorate of Bac Lieu province said that the Chief Inspector of this province has just approved the conclusion of a surprise inspection of law enforcement for the Project to purchase medical equipment for the Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Hospital of Bac Lieu province. Through the inspection, a series of serious violations were discovered, so the case file was transferred to the Investigation Police Agency of Bac Lieu province to investigate and clarify.

Many items have price differences from 3 to 11 times

According to the inspection conclusion, on January 30, 2019, the People's Committee of Bac Lieu province approved the feasibility study report and the plan to select contractors to purchase 74 categories of medical equipment for Bac Lieu Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Hospital (including 77 items), with a total investment of more than 120 billion VND, with the Department of Health as the investor, including 11 bidding packages, implementation period from 2019 - 2020.

Bac Lieu Provincial Tuberculosis and Lung Hospital

On May 13, 2020, the Director of the Department of Health issued Decision No. 1328 approving the budget for purchasing 74 categories of medical equipment (including 77 items), with a total value of more than 109 billion VND.

The inspection results showed that the valuation unit did not comply with the valuation process, increasing the valuation value by more than VND938 million, causing a loss to the state budget of VND910 million. Considering the nature and extent of the violation with signs of crime, the Bac Lieu Provincial Inspectorate transferred the entire case file to the Provincial Police Investigation Agency to clarify and handle a number of contents according to legal regulations.

Specifically, the valuation dossier for valuation certificate No. VL19, dated December 17, 2019: Tay Nam Valuation Company Limited did not comply with the regulations on valuation, causing a loss of VND 910 million to the state budget. In addition, there was 1 item that had a winning bid result, the possibility of a difference compared to the valuation value. There were signs of a lack of transparency in the selection of the quotation unit. In particular, when comparing 18 high-value items, the valuation price was more than 3 times higher than the import value. Of which, 11/18 items were 3 times higher, 2/11 items were 7 times higher, 1/11 item was 11 times higher (some items did not include the value of accompanying accessories).

The above violations show signs of intentionally violating regulations in the price appraisal process, causing damage to the state budget. The provincial inspectorate has transferred all price appraisal records for investigation, clarification and handling according to legal regulations for related organizations and individuals.

For package 11 of equipment procurement and installation: Mineral Import-Export Joint Stock Company (equipment supplier - PV) violated regulations during the contract implementation and bidding documents. The bidding document preparation process showed signs of lack of transparency in order to meet the conditions for winning the bid, buying and selling through many intermediaries, leading to the price of some items being bid with an unusually high difference compared to the import price. Of which, 1 company supplied a value of more than 60 billion VND (accounting for 59.48% of the contract value). In particular, through comparing customs documents of 18 items, the bid price was more than 55 billion VND higher than the import price. Of which, 11/18 items were 3 times higher; 2/11 items were 7 times higher, 1/11 item was 11 times higher.

Regarding Bac Lieu 16 Construction Consulting LLC: The winning bid for the equipment procurement package did not meet the conditions of experience and capacity "contracts similar in type and nature", contrary to Circular No. 39 of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the result of Mineral Import-Export Joint Stock Company winning the bid for the medical equipment procurement package violated Point b, Clause 1, Article 43 of the Law on Bidding.

For Tien Dat Construction Consulting Company Limited (appraisal unit), Mien Tay Construction Consulting Company Limited (supervision unit), Nam Viet Construction Consulting - Investment Joint Stock Company (project management unit): Lack of responsibility, signs of cover-up, violating regulations in the process of performing consulting tasks, leading to many violations, especially in project supervision and management.

Proposal for formal review of the Director of the Department of Health

Regarding the investor, the Bac Lieu Department of Health, the provincial inspectorate concluded that there was a lack of inspection, supervision, and lax management during the project implementation process. In particular, for package 11 of equipment procurement, there were many violations in the delivery and receipt of equipment.

Considering that the Mineral Import-Export Joint Stock Company and the above-mentioned related organizations and individuals have signs of intentionally violating legal regulations; violating the Law on Bidding; lacking responsibility, causing serious consequences, potentially causing large losses to the state budget, the Provincial Inspectorate transfers all documents related to bidding package No. 11 to the Provincial Police Department of Investigation to investigate, clarify and handle according to legal regulations.

In addition, the Provincial Inspectorate recommended that the Chairman of the Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee direct a formal review of the Director of the Bac Lieu Department of Health and the Deputy Director of the Department of Health in charge, due to lack of inspection, supervision, lax management, improper implementation of regulations, and many violations. Especially for package No. 11 of procurement and installation of medical equipment, affecting the progress of project implementation, wasting investment resources, causing damage and loss of the state budget.

Previously, on October 17, 2022, Thanh Nien published an article reflecting "200 billion VND hospital cannot receive patients for 3 years". The content mentioned that Bac Lieu Province Tuberculosis and Lung Hospital was invested in construction with a budget of more than 200 billion VND. However, after nearly 3 years of completion, the hospital has not received a single patient.

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