Petition seeks probe into Yunus over alleged vaccine fund corruption
An application has been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking an investigation into alleged embezzlement, irregularities, and corruption in the procurement of vaccines and syringes for measles and other diseases, and requesting action against former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, former Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, and others concerned.
Supreme Court lawyers Biplob Kumar Das and Barrister Sanaullah Nure Sagar submitted the application to the ACC chairman on Monday (April 13).
The application alleges possible corruption and misappropriation of funds in the health sector during the former interim government. It states that, in the interest of protecting the country’s health and financial sectors and safeguarding children’s lives, an ACC investigation is necessary.
It requests an inquiry into whether any irregularities or corruption occurred in the procurement and distribution of vaccines for measles and other diseases during the tenure of the interim government’s chief adviser and health adviser, as well as other related individuals, and calls for necessary action based on the findings.
It further states that recent measles outbreaks across the country, reportedly leading to the deaths of around a hundred children, have caused deep concern, distress, and anxiety for the petitioner, as a conscious citizen and Supreme Court lawyer.
The application adds that shortages of measles and other essential vaccines in government healthcare facilities, and the resulting increase in measles cases and child deaths, have been reported in various media outlets, which it describes as highly alarming. It claims that several child deaths from measles have been attributed by citizens and health experts on social and electronic media to the responsibility of the former Chief Adviser and the Health Adviser.
It also mentions that the current government has stated that the shortage of measles vaccines and syringes in the Health Ministry was a problem created by the previous government.
The application further claims that the interim government changed the vaccine procurement system without proper preparation. Despite a sufficient budget in the health sector (approximately Tk 42,000 crore), it allegedly failed to procure measles and other vaccines on time and ensure timely vaccination for children.
As a result, the measles outbreak has reportedly worsened into an epidemic situation. Various reports suggest that over a hundred children have already died from measles, while thousands more are undergoing treatment in hospitals due to inadequate preventive measures. Measles is described as a highly contagious disease that is rapidly spreading across the country.
The application further states that changes in procurement procedures and failure to purchase adequate vaccines and syringes in time, despite sufficient budget allocation, along with a lack of transparency, indicate possible corruption and irregularities. It also claims that various newspapers and electronic media have published reports of alleged irregularities in vaccine and syringe procurement in the health sector.