Report Alleges Contractor Network Regaining Influence in Health Ministry

An investigation published by Shirsho News alleges that contractor networks associated with the previous government have reorganised under the current administration and are again seeking influence in the health sector. The report describes a ministry-centred circle and says familiar figures are preferred by policymakers because they have money and the ability to “manage” matters.

The allegations raise questions about whether a network said to have influenced health-sector procurement is trying to regain a role after a change of government. The claims concern officials, contractors, transfers, postings and tenders; they remain allegations presented in the Shirsho News report.

Who the Report Identifies as Leaders

The report names Joint Secretary (Per) Md. Mustafizur Rahman as the alleged central figure and describes him as a relative—the minister’s niece’s husband—of Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul. It also lists three other people at the alleged leadership level:

• Minister’s APS Mostafizur Rahman
• CMSD Director and Joint Secretary Mohammad Shafiur Rahman
• Minister’s PS A B M Iftekharul Islam Khandakar

How the Alleged Circle Took Shape

According to Shirsho News, both the joint secretary and the minister’s APS are from Magura. The report alleges that the joint secretary selected the APS, although it says ministers usually appoint someone they know or someone from their own area. It also describes the joint secretary as having been an associate of an influential Local Government Ministry official under the previous administration.

The report says CMSD Director Shafiur Rahman is from Bogura and claims he has influence because he is known as the “nephew” of the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary. It also alleges that he benefited from being a former Chhatra League leader and was involved in plot forgery while at the National Housing Authority. Separately, the report accuses PS Iftekharul Islam Khandakar of promotion discrimination under the previous government and of obtaining a Deputy Commissioner post in exchange for money during the interim government.

Alleged “Rates” for Transfers and Postings

The report says Joint Secretary Mustafizur Rahman controls recruitment, transfers and promotions through his responsibility for the Per branch. It alleges that payments of Tk 5–10 lakh are taken for each posting, with Tk 20 lakh or more for important posts. The report claims that officials who became wealthy illegally under the previous administration are benefiting.

It also links the alleged process to the cancellation of postings involving the director of Suhrawardy Hospital, the divisional health director in Barishal and a civil surgeon, saying the episode damaged the government’s image.

Old Contractors, New Cover

Shirsho News alleges that, over the previous 15 years, small contractors and some second- and third-class health-sector employees accumulated assets worth hundreds of crores of taka through anonymous contracting. The report says large development allocations have been halted for the past two years following cancellation of the Operational Plan (OP), turning contractors’ attention to hospital purchases of medical and surgical requisites (MSR). It lists these allegations:

• A small number of contractors control the country’s MSR business
• Tenders are manipulated through multiple companies
• Tender processes are controlled by obtaining PE passwords in advance, allegedly with hospital officials’ cooperation; other bidders’ tenders may be cancelled despite better prices

Names Mentioned in the Report

The report also revisits several previously discussed names. It says Abjal Hossain is in prison and that Motazzerul Islam Mithu spent several months in prison during the interim government. Sources cited by the report allege that Sajjad Munshi, known for the “curtain scam” at Faridpur Medical College Hospital, is connected to the current network. The same sources claim he met the minister at a private location.

Moniruzzaman Dhali, Emdad Hossain and Rabiul Islam are also named in connection with the alleged tender circle. The report further claims that contractor Miraz Hossain, described as a Madaripur Swechchhasebak League leader, continues to run a thriving contracting business.

CMSD and the Unfinished ACC Investigation

Shirsho News alleges that the network now controls purchases at the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD), including decisions about which contractors receive work. The report claims that no one outside the circle receives even a one-taka contract unless the group agrees.

It says the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) took action against 23 employees in 2019 and another 12 in 2020. The report claims the investigation later stalled and most of those accused remain active.

Influence on Doctors’ Groups?

The report notes that the pro-BNP Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) is divided into several factions and alleges that the network is exploiting those divisions. It further claims that some leaders are given limited benefits while others are kept under pressure, and that conflicts are being encouraged.

The Report’s Central Claim

Shirsho News concludes that a change in government has not, in its view, broken the alleged pattern of structural corruption in the health sector; it argues that the people controlling or backing the network may have changed. The report’s claims require documentary evidence and verification.