China's Ministry of Health on Tuesday appointed a team to lead
the national crackdown on commercial bribery in the health
sector.
The team, headed by Health Minister Gao Qiang, will implement the guidelines and
policies set by the CPC Central Committee and State Council in the
crackdown throughout the health system, said a ministry
spokesman.
It will also liaise with other government departments in
prosecuting cases of corruption, said the official.
A whistle-blower's hot-line, mail address and the Health
Minister's e-mail address on the ministry website have been made
public.
In China, some companies and individuals offered commissions to
health officials and staff to secure contracts for substandard
drugs and medical equipments, resulting in many medical accidents,
said the official.
Some doctors prescribed expensive drugs for which they received
kickbacks and caused public complaints and distrust of
hospitals.
"Commercial bribery has severely affected the reputation and
public confidence of the nation's public health services and
triggered corruption and crime. It must be stopped," Gao Qiang
said.
Investigations would be conducted into illegal deals in the
trade of drugs and medical equipments, bribery cases and
corruption. And abuse of office by health officials would be
prosecuted in the courts as soon as they are detected.
(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2006)