The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has appointed Md. Nasir Uddin, an accused named in a charge sheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), as the head of the Health Education Bureau.He is an accused in a case filed over an alleged embezzlement of Tk 11.25 million in the purchase of medicines, surgical equipment and pathological supplies.

Although the ministry appointed him to the post, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has raised objections to his joining. Nasir Uddin submitted his joining letter at his workplace on September 6, but it has not been formally accepted even after nearly a month.

According to a notification signed by Imtiaz Hossain, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nasir Uddin was appointed head of the Health Education Bureau on September 2.

Before the appointment, he had spent more than six years as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and was attached to the office of the Divisional Health Director in Rajshahi.

The appointment of an official facing a corruption case has raised questions within the health sector. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has assured that action will be taken after reviewing the matter.

On Wednesday, September 30, the minister said, “I was not aware of the matter. Why and how this happened—I will take action today.”

Allegations in the Case
According to the ACC charge sheet, Nasir Uddin was serving as a senior health education officer in 2019 and was involved in the procurement of various items for the Azimpur Maternity and Child Health Training Institute.

The purchases included surgical items and equipment as well as pathological items. The ACC alleged that the relevant laws and regulations of the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) were not properly followed during the procurement process. The alleged irregularities resulted in the embezzlement of Tk 11.25 million, according to the case documents.

Following the allegations, the ACC and the Health Services Division conducted separate investigations. After nearly five years of investigation, the ACC submitted a charge sheet against Nasir Uddin and 10 others before the court on July 11, 2024.

Earlier, an investigation by the Health Services Division had also found his involvement in the matter. On July 27, 2020, he was removed from his position as deputy head and programme manager of the Health Education Bureau and was made an OSD.

Ataur Rahman Sarker, assistant director of the ACC and the investigating officer in the case, said the trial was ongoing and the court was recording witness statements. He said the legal process was taking time because of the number of witnesses, statements and seizure lists involved in the case.

According to him, once an official is charge-sheeted, administrative practice generally allows the concerned authority to take measures, including suspension, in accordance with the applicable rules.

Nasir Uddin, however, has denied the allegations. He said there was no specific allegation against him in the charge sheet and that he had already applied to the court for his discharge.

He claimed that he was not a member of any procurement or tender committee and had only signed a document as a representative of the civil surgeon, who was absent at the time. He also said there was no legal impediment to his holding the post because he had not been suspended or dismissed.

Dispute Over Joining
Professor Dr. Jalal Uddin Mohammad Rumi, director of administration at the DGHS, said the directorate had been informed about the allegations against Nasir Uddin. As a result, his joining letter had not yet been accepted.

He said the DGHS had not yet received the relevant documents from the ACC. Once the documents are received, the matter will be reviewed and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the rules, he added.

Imtiaz Hossain, the deputy secretary who signed the appointment notification, said the ministry had information that Nasir Uddin had been discharged from the case. The appointment was made based on that information, he said.

“If there was a lack of information, the DGHS can inform the ministry after reviewing the matter, and necessary action will be taken accordingly,” he said.

Health Secretary Dr. A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid also said he had not previously been aware of the matter. He said the ministry would look into it and take necessary action.

Nasir Uddin currently lives in an apartment in New Eskaton, Dhaka. He said he purchased the flat for Tk 10.7 million through a 10-year installment arrangement. According to him, the money came from the sale of ancestral land, a Tk 5 million bank loan and an advance withdrawal from his provident fund.