IPH, SSMCH directors made OSD
Institute of Public Health Director Dr Abdur Rahim and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital Director Prof Dr Uttam Kumar Barua have been removed from their posts on different allegations and made officers on special duty.
The decision was announced in a circular from the Health Services Division yesterday, on the third working day after the health ministry issued a show-cause notice to Abdur Rahim asking explanation about his order to all IPH staffers to adhere to specific dress code.
A week ago, on Wednesday, Abdur Rahim issued a circular asking female Muslim employees to wear hijabs and to make sure that their clothes cover their ankles.
The circular said, "For Muslims, men must make sure their clothes do not cover their ankle joints… and women must wear hijabs in addition to making sure that their clothes cover their ankle joints."
After widespread criticism on social media and a show-cause notice from the health ministry the next day, he withdrew the order.
He has been attached to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) while Dr Tanvir Ahmed Chowdhury -- officer on special duty at the DGHS -- has been appointed to carry on Abdur Rahim's duties as director of IPH.
Meanwhile, Prof Uttam has also been attached to the DGHS as an officer on special duty after removal from his post.
Dr AKM Mamun Morshed, deputy director of Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, has temporarily been appointed as its director.
In a letter issued on October 29, Prof Uttam was accused of financial corruption worth around Tk 6.4 crore in the procurement of medical equipment for the hospital.
The health ministry filed a departmental case against him in this regard, according to the letter signed by Secretary of the Health Services Division Abdul Mannan.
According to the letter, Prof Uttam committed corruption in the procurement of eight operation theatre lights, two coblation machines, and two anaesthesia machines with ventilators in the 2018-19 fiscal year.
"As the factuality of the allegations have been proven in primary investigation ... you [Prof Uttam] are accused of misconduct and corruption in accordance with government employee Rules-2018," read the notice.
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