HCMC – Former Deputy Minister of Health Cao Minh Quang has been charged with negligence which led to losses of over VND61 billion for the State, according to the Supreme People’s Procuracy.
The Supreme People’s Procuracy completed indictments against Quang and eight other defendants on September 8 for their alleged involvement in irregularities in the procurement of materials to produce antivirals of the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Quang and his four subordinates have been facing charges of negligence resulting in serious consequences under Article 285 of the 1999 Penal Code, with a penalty of 3-12 years in prison.
According to the investigation results, Quang did not direct an inspection of Cuu Long Pharmaceutical JSC although he discovered that it had not paid over VND61 billion to the suppliers of drug materials.
Upon receiving a request from the Ministry of Finance to clarify the origin of the money, Quang still did not carry out any inspection.
His negligence caused losses to the State as the amount of money was a result of the reduction in the material price.
General Director of Cuu Long Pharmaceutical JSC Luong Van Hoa and his three subordinates have been prosecuted for abusing power or position in the performance of official duties, with a penalty of 10-15 years in prison.
Regarding civil liability, the Supreme People’s Procuracy ordered nine defendants to compensate over VND61 billion to the State for the consequences of their behaviors.
While I know nothing about the case in question, it’s encouraging to see the Vietnamese Government taking steps to weed out corruption.