Former Director of the Department of Health and several officials in Son La have been expelled from the Party.
The Standing Committee of the Son La Provincial Party Committee has expelled Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim An, former Director of the Department of Health, and several other officials from the Party due to their involvement in irregularities related to the procurement of medical equipment.
On May 24th, the Son La Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission announced the results of its investigation into disciplinary action against Party members who violated regulations related to the 2019 medical equipment procurement bidding process.
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According to the announcement, in 2020, after authorities discovered irregularities in the implementation of a procurement package at the Department of Health, the Standing Committee of the Son La Provincial Party Committee directed an investigation into suspected violations by eight Party members involved in the organization and implementation of the package.
Upon investigation, the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission found evidence of legal violations by individuals. Subsequently, they issued a document requesting the relevant provincial authorities to direct a review in accordance with regulations.
During the investigation, the Son La Provincial Police prosecuted Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim An, former Director of the Provincial Department of Health, for "Negligence causing serious consequences." Mr. Sa Van Khuyen, former Deputy Director of the Department of Health, and two other former officials were also arrested and detained.
The Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee has expelled Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim An and Mr. Sa Van Khuyen from the Party for failing to properly perform their duties and neglecting management, resulting in many officials and civil servants being disciplined or prosecuted.
The Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission also disciplined Ms. Bui Thi Hoa, former Head of the Planning and Finance Department of the Department of Health, and Mr. Mai Anh Tuan, former specialist of the Department of Health, by expelling them from the Party for intentionally committing prohibited acts in bidding.
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In addition to the aforementioned officials, Son La province has disciplined Mr. Le Hong Minh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, with a Party reprimand. The Prime Minister also disciplined Mr. Minh with a reprimand.
Two officials from the Son La Provincial People's Committee Office, Mr. Vu Ngoc Hai and Mr. Le Tien Quy, were disciplined with a warning by the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Committee.
Previously, in February and March, the Son La Provincial Police prosecuted and detained Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim An along with three former leaders and officials of the Department of Health, and Bui Thi Thu, Director of Hung Phat Company; Ta Ngoc Chuc, General Director of Global Appraisal and Investment Joint Stock Company; and Hoang Vu Quyen, an employee of Vietnam Medical Equipment and Technology Company Limited, on charges of "Violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences" and "Negligence causing serious consequences".
Ms. An and six other defendants have been identified as having committed violations in the procurement of medical equipment for commune-level and grassroots healthcare facilities. Many items of medical equipment related to the case did not match the lists in the tender documents, bid documents, and signed contracts, causing losses to the state budget.
