Former Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến. — VNA/VNS File Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security has proposed prosecuting Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến, former Minister of Health, for “violating regulations on management and use of State property, causing losses and waste” under Article 219.3 of the Penal Code.

The agency has issued its conclusion on the investigation into the case of “Violating regulations on the management and use of State property, causing loss and waste; Fraudulent appropriation of property; and Taking bribes,” which occurred at the Ministry of Health and related units.

The case is linked to the investment projects for the construction of the second establishments of the Bạch Mai Hospital and Việt Đức (Việt Nam-Germany Friendship) Hospital.

Along with Tiến, others proposed for prosecution on the same charge include Nguyễn Kim Trung, former Deputy Director of the Management Unit of Key Medical Projects and former Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Equipment and Works under the Ministry of Health; Trần Văn Sinh, former Deputy Director of the Management Unit of Key Medical Construction Projects under the Ministry of Health; and Đào Xuân Sinh, former Director of the SHT Vietnam Investment, Construction and Consulting JSC, among others.

The agency has also proposed prosecuting Nguyễn Chiến Thắng, former Director of the Management Unit of Key Medical Projects, and Nguyễn Hữu Tuấn, former Director of the Management Unit of Key Medical Construction Projects, on two charges - “Violating regulations on the management and use of State property, causing loss and waste” and “Taking bribes.”

Lê Thanh Thiêm, Director of Sao Nam Sông Hồng Co., Ltd., has been identified for prosecution on the charge of “Fraudulent appropriation of property.”

According to the investigation, although the Prime Minister had not approved the hiring of foreign consultants for project formulation and technical and construction design of the two projects, Thắng still signed proposals for Tiến to issue decisions permitting the engagement of foreign consultants and approving plans for architectural design selection.

The proposals also allowed VK Architects and Engineers to prepare and present architectural design options and approve the results of the architectural design selection for both projects.

Based on the approved architectural plans, Thắng directed subordinates, including Trung, Tuấn and Sinh, to finalise and legitimise contractor appointment dossiers in violation of regulations, enabling the VK Studio – Institute of Medical Equipment consortium to implement consultancy packages TV4/2014 and TV5/2014. The acts, in coordination with Sinh, caused State asset losses of more than VNĐ70 billion (US$2.68 million).

In addition, to ensure the projects' progress, Thắng directed that bidding packages not be divided according to technical characteristics and implementation sequence to maintain project synchronisation. Although the proposal lacked sufficient grounds for such non-division, Nguyễn Doãn Tú, then Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Equipment and Works, chaired appraisal meetings and submitted documents for Tiến to approve the decisions.

Following Tiến's approval, Thắng directed the preparation and approval of bidding documents, contractor selection and implementation of packages XDBM-01 and XDVD-01 in violation of regulations. Numerous irregularities led to difficulties in project implementation, causing delays, suspension and failure to meet set objectives, resulting in waste of more than VNĐ733 billion (US$28.14 million) in State assets. — VNS