The 57-year-old specialist doctor, Huynh Minh Truc, was recently reinstated by the Can Tho Department of Health. He will serve as CDC director until retirement.

This decision follows the Can Tho City Police's decision to suspend the investigation into violations of bidding regulations that occurred from 2020-2021 at the city's General Hospital and CDC. The suspension is based on Article 230, Clause 1a, of the 2015 Criminal Procedure Code, which stipulates the grounds for suspending investigations, and Article 29, Clause 2a of the Penal Code, which defines exemption from criminal liability.

Investigators determined that Truc and Tran Quoc Luan, director of Can Tho General Hospital, along with others, borrowed Viet A's PCR Covid-19 tests for urgent pandemic control, then legitimized the payment records. While this suggested a violation of bidding regulations, there was no evidence of personal gain.

In early 6/2022, following a review of Covid-19 equipment and supply procurement at the Department of Health and related agencies from 2020-2021, Can Tho inspectors recommended transferring the case to the police to investigate suspected violations in Viet A contracts.

During 2020-2021, the Can Tho Department of Health and related units executed 576 procurement contracts for Covid-19 equipment and supplies, totaling nearly 280 billion VND. According to the inspection, 5 contracts awarded by the CDC to Viet A Technology JSC for test kits showed signs of "intentional product selection" and the designation of Hop Nhat Science Co., Ltd. as the supplier.

At Can Tho General Hospital, inspectors also found evidence of serious negligence in a contract for Viet A test kits.

Following the inspection report, the Can Tho People's Committee urged the police and relevant agencies to "quickly implement the conclusions regarding numerous violations in medical supply procurement contracts." In 11/2022, Can Tho police temporarily suspended the investigation into 7 Viet A contracts due to a lack of documentation from relevant agencies.

In early 2023, evidence and assessment results from various units, ministries, and localities revealed signs of criminal activity related to these contracts. Consequently, Can Tho City Police resumed the investigation and initiated a case for violations of bidding regulations with serious consequences.

An Binh