Staff Reporter :
A tender worth approximately Tk 76 crore 75 lakh 10 thousand has been invited for purchasing 703 types of medical equipment and instruments for Patuakhali Medical College Hospital. Concerns have been raised in relevant circles that including such a large number of items from different categories in a single package violates the Public Procurement Act and related regulations.
Experts claim that bundling completely different types of equipment into one package may be intended to benefit a specific individual or company. According to them, such an initiative cannot be executed without approval from higher authorities of the department or the ministry. If the tender process is carried out in this manner, those involved may face audit objections and even ACC (Anti-Corruption Commission) cases in the future.
Several companies submitted formal complaints to the Ministry of Health on 2 November regarding serious irregularities in the Tk 76 crore tender. Adviser Nurjahan Begum and Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman also issued written instructions to conduct an urgent investigation and take action. But despite this, efforts to stop such irregularities have not yet been observed.
According to the complaint letter, the tender announced on 27 October placed 703 items-including scissors and knives, clocks, televisions, X-ray machines, anaesthesia equipment-in a single package. It also includes low-quality specifications, mentions of specific brands or models in some cases, only a two-year warranty, and a requirement allowing authorization letters from local companies instead of manufacturers-terms that contradict PPR 2025.
The letter further states that no company in Bangladesh is capable of supplying such a wide variety of items under one lot. As a result, the tender will become non-competitive and pose a risk of massive government financial waste.
The complaint mentions that in previous procurements, attempts were made to supply low-quality products by attaching stickers of reputed European and American brands.
The hospital authorities later refused to accept those items. It also recalls that in the 2023-24 fiscal year, a work order of Tk 105 crore was awarded to “Bangladesh Science House,” bypassing all rules.
The tender document shows that medical devices, lab equipment, optical and precision instruments, clocks, medicines, imaging equipment, hematology items, therapy equipment, operating technology items, and anaesthesia and resuscitation equipment-altogether worth Tk 76 crore-have been included in a single lot. The lot also includes CCU beds, cardiac monitors, hemodialysis machines, patient monitors, patient tables, as well as a water treatment plant, air coolers, and a generator. The tender evaluation date has been set for 27 November.
When contacted, Project Director Dr. S.M. Kabir Hossain said that any complaint would be reviewed by higher authorities. He added that he had not been informed of anything from the ministry or the directorate. When asked whether the PPR was violated, he replied that he could not understand the matter and declined to continue the conversation, saying it was time for prayers.
Health and Family Welfare Ministry Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman said he was aware of the issue, and action would be taken in accordance with the law.
According to the complaint letter, if the tender is reissued by dividing the items into multiple lots based on need, as per PPR 2025, competition will increase and waste can be prevented.
