JKG chairman Sabrina suspended, DGHS DG served show-cause notice

Chairman of JKG Health Care Sabrina Arif Chowdhury has been suspended from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).

The health ministry took the decision as Sabrina was involved with a private organisation without permission despite being a government employee. Allegations of fraud and embezzlement have also surfaced against her.

These are punishable offences according to government servants (conduct) rules.

Confirming the matter to Prothom Alo, health services department secretary Abdul Mannan said the suspension has been made effective from Sunday.

Sabrina is the wife of arrested JKG chief coordinator Arif Chowdhury. She is also a cardiac surgeon of NICVD.

Meanwhile, the ministry also served a show cause notice to director general (DG) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) over a press statement.

DGHS press statement on Saturday claimed that it took initiative to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Regent Hospital as per directives from the top authorities of the health ministry.

The DGHS DG has been asked to clarify whom he meant by ‘top authorities’ and what issues were taken into consideration before signing MoU with Regent Hospital..

Regent Hospitals and JKG group have been at the center of controversy following their fraudulence regarding coronavirus treatment and tests.

Police on Sunday arrested Sabrina in connection with providing fake COVID-19 test results.

Harun or Rashid, deputy commissioner of Tejgaon zone of police, in a press briefing said, Sabrina would be produced in the court on Monday and police will seek remand for her.

Other arrested members of JKG confessed that Sabrina is the chairman of JKG. Besides, she had spoken to the media as JKG chairman.

After the news of the scam came out, Sabrina claimed that she did not have any connection with JKG. She even published notices in the newspaper in this regard.

Jobeda Khatun Health Care (JKG) got the approval from directorate general of health service (DGHS) to collect samples of COVID-19 for free.

Later, they collected samples for Taka 5,000-8,600 and provided fake test results.

Police arrested 6 people involved in the scam so far.