Mithu has turned health-sector corruption into an industry: Experts
They warned the health sector could again fall prey to his networks without systemic reform
Speakers at a discussion today said Motazzerul Islam Mithu, one of the most talked-about contractors in the health sector, has turned corruption into an "industry," and his influence continues regardless of the government in power.
They warned that the health sector may again fall victim to his networks if systemic reforms are not implemented.
"Mithu's name has become synonymous with corruption in the health sector. He has elevated corruption to an art form," said Rashed Rabbi, president of the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum, at a discussion held at the BMA Bhaban auditorium in the capital's Topkhana Road.
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The event, titled "Ensuring Healthcare for All Requires a Corruption-Free Health System," was organised by the Corruption-Free Health Movement.
Sharing examples from his reporting, Rashed Rabbi said machines were labelled as originating from Germany, but Mithu added Poland to the shipment documents while supplying old Chinese equipment.
"He sent an old machine from China to Poland and then shipped it to Bangladesh from there so that no one could trace its actual origin. This is how he turned corruption into an industry," he said.
Dhaka Reporters Unity General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel said journalists have repeatedly reported on Mithu, yet nothing has changed.
"This government managed to send him to jail, but he came out. The previous government perhaps did not even have the ability to arrest him," he said.
"So-called German-labelled Chinese equipment and inflated procurement costs – he has been doing this for nearly 20 years," he added.
Public health expert Dr Lelin Choudhury served as the keynote speaker. Other speakers included former Lions Club International district governor Ashfaqul Rahman and former Halcrow Group Ltd consultant Mashiur Rahman.
Dr Lelin Choudhury said only a small portion of the budget allocated for the health sector is actually spent on patient care, while the rest is siphoned off through opaque processes and contractor-broker syndicates.
"Corruption in the health sector is not only financial – it directly harms people's lives," he said.
