China arrests a series of hospital leaders suspected of corruption during the Covid-19 epidemic

A Covid-19 vaccination site in Shandong province, China during the pandemic

Chinese anti-corruption investigators have arrested more than 160 hospital executives this year, as Beijing targets a health sector that has received billions of dollars in government spending during the Covid-19 pandemic, the South China Morning Post reported on August 12.

Sources and observers predict many more will be arrested in a sector that has sparked public anger over high costs and widespread corruption.

State media reported that more than 150 hospital executives were investigated in the campaign launched this year, but figures from the South China Morning Post suggest the number could be as high as 168.

In addition, at least two senior executives of pharmaceutical companies are being investigated for suspected corruption, including Winning Health Technology Group and Shanghai Serum Bio-Technology.

The anti-corruption campaign in this sector, which was launched after China abandoned its zero-Covid policy, has been intensified recently because the deadline for self-confession to receive clemency expired on July 30.

Data released by China's National Health Commission in March showed that medical institutions across the country received a total of 110 billion yuan (US$16.6 billion) since 2020. A source said the campaign to eliminate corruption in the sector will continue into 2024.

"The campaign will continue for another 10 months and investigators will report to the leadership in June 2024. New regulations will be issued based on the investigation results," according to the source.

The Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said the crackdown on corruption in the health sector was "necessary in promoting General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's healthy China strategy".

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