On 28/4, the Hue City People's Court issued a verdict stating that from June 2020 to December 2021, Hoang Van Duc, then director of the Hue Center for Disease Control (CDC), along with Tran Thi Kim Xinh, deputy head of the Pharmacy - Medical Supplies department, Ha Thuc Nhat, chief accountant, and Le Nguyen Thi Loan, a fee collection staff member, abused their positions and authority. They conspired to procure vaccines outside the official bidding process for service immunization. This involved nearly 20,000 vaccine doses, valued at over 4.7 billion VND.

The defendants used the Hue CDC's name to sign contracts or contact various suppliers for vaccines, but payments were made using personal funds and accounts. These illegally procured vaccines were administered in parallel with those acquired through proper channels. However, the revenue generated from these vaccinations was not recorded in the Hue CDC's official accounting system.

Hoang Van Duc, former director of Hue CDC, on the left. Photo: Van An.

A portion of the funds was collected separately using handwritten receipts and managed by Tran Thi Kim Xinh. Some of these funds were then used to pay for the vaccines, while the remaining amount was diverted for personal use, bonuses, and hospitality expenses.

The court determined that the defendants' actions caused damages exceeding one billion VND to the Hue CDC, representing vaccination fees that were not deposited into the unit's budget. Separately, defendant Ha Thuc Nhat was held responsible for over 168 million VND in damages due to his involvement in certain contracts.

The court sentenced Hoang Van Duc, 56, to 5 years and 6 months in prison. Tran Thi Kim Xinh, 48, received a 5-year prison sentence. Ha Thuc Nhat, 43, was sentenced to one year in prison, and Le Nguyen Thi Loan, 58, received a 2-year and 6-month suspended sentence. All were convicted of abusing their positions and power while performing official duties.

Vo Thanh