Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday demanded an investigation into the allegation of ‘unusual expenditures’ in coronavirus vaccine procurement, inoculation, and the Covid testing processes.

“An allegation of huge irregularities in the purchase of corona vaccines, their administration and the cost of corona tests has been raised. The experts are saying the health ministry's expenditures are unusual,” he said.

Read: Much of health sector allocation being looted: GM Quader

In a statement, the Jatiya Party chief said, “So, it’s urgent to find out whether there’s any corruption in buying and administrating the vaccines and spending money for conducting corona tests.”

Referring to media reports, he said a single dose of vaccine was procured at Tk 500 while Tk 2,500 is being spent on its administration. “In total, Tk 3,000 is being spent on the application of each dose of the vaccines, which the experts are saying is unacceptable.”

GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said a study conducted by the health ministry in May last found that the government was spending on average Tk 1.28 lakh on treatment for each of the corona patients.

Read: Lack of vaccines making Covid situation worse: GM Quader

“But the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in an advertisement, published in different media on July 9, said the government has spent Tk 2 lakh per patient. With such information, experts smell corruption (in the treatment process),” he observed.

The Jatiya Party chief said the health ministry is not talking about the inconsistencies in the expenditures of the patients’ treatment.

Quader also said the DGHS in a press release on July 9 said a total of 656,871 people underwent Covid tests as of July 8 and the government has spent Tk 1,952 crore in this regard.

On the other hand, GM Quader said the DGHS in its regular press statement said 50,49,203 corona tests have been conducted till July 9 under the government management.

“So, there’s a clear inconsistency of around 15 lakh tests.  But the health ministry is not responding to media reports and experts' opinions on the matter. Therefore, we demand the government look into the matter and find out whether there’s any corruption in the purchase and application of corona vaccines and in the expenses of corona tests.”