Kathmandu, June 3

National Vigilance Centre has formed a probe committee to investigate into alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment at Bir Hospital.

NVC took the move after it received complaints that the hospital officials embezzled funds worth Rs 30 crore in the purchase of medical equipment, including teletherapy and intra-operative CT scan machines.

As per the complaints, there have also been irregularities in the recruitment of employees at the hospital.

“The complaints have also raised questions over the recruitment of employees at the hospital,” said Yam Prasad Bhusal, coordinator of the probe committee.

Complaints have also been made against irregularities in the purchase of equipment for National Trauma Centre and renewal of registration of pharmacies on the hospital’s premises.

There have also been irregularities the purchase of equipment for waste management, according to the complaints.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has also launched a separate probe into irregularities at the hospital.

“It will take time for us to submit report on alleged irregularities at the hospital. Today, we inspected the hospital and collected documents related to purchase of equipment at the hospital,” said Bhusal.

“It will take around two months for us to prepare the investigation report,” said Bishnu Raj Lamichhane, Spokesperson for the National Vigilance Centre.

As per the Public Procurement Act,  a public entity  making any procurement should,  to the extent  possible, invite open bids and provide  equal opportunity to qualified bidders to participate in the procurement process without any discrimination.

According to Public Procurement Act it  is  expedient  to  make  legal  provisions in  order  to  make  the procedures, processes and decisions relating  to  procurement  open,  transparent, objective and reliable.