Probe report submitted over N95 mask controversy
The three-member committee submitted the report to the secretary to the Health Services Division on Wednesday
A probe committee – formed to look into the allegations that substandard masks were supplied to several state-run hospitals in the name of N-95 masks – has submitted its report.
Health ministry officials said the three-member committee submitted the report to the secretary to the Health Services Division on Wednesday.
M Saidur Rahman, additional secretary (development) to the Health Services Division and also head of the probe committee, told The Business Standard, "We have carefully examined the allegations and investigated thoroughly. Considering its significance, we presented the report with some recommendations and observations."
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However, he refused to comment on their findings and said only the ministry's spokesperson or the secretary is authorised to talk about this.
Habibur Rahman Khan, additional secretary to the health ministry and focal person of the ministry's media cell, said the probe committee submitted the report to the secretary. He may send it to the division concerned for examining it. If the report is accepted, the ministry will take actions as per the report's recommendations.
"It is too early to make any comment on the report and disclose its findings. The report needs to remain confidential for at least for some time. Then, we will make it public," he added.
There are allegations that substandard masks were supplied to several state-run hospitals, which were supposed to receive N95 masks.
High officials of the ministry have been criticised by different sections of society as they were trying to prove the issue as "mistake" without having any probe.
On April 20, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a video conference expressed her annoyance over the supply of fake N95 masks. She ordered a probe into it. After that, the Health Services Division formed a probe committee to investigate the allegations.
The committee is headed by M Saidur Rahman, additional secretary (development) to the Health Services Division, while other members are DGHS's Deputy Director M Aminur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud, Deputy Secretary to the Health Services Division.
The committee was asked to submit the report within three days. But they took another one week to submit it.
