Hanoi court begins trial of former health minister over state asset losses

Along with Tien, six others including former ministry officials and a businessman were charged with “violating regulations on the management and use of State property, causing losses and wastefulness.”

Three other defendants were charged with “violating regulations on the management and use of State property, causing losses and wastefulness”, “taking bribes”, and “fraudulent appropriation of property”.

According to the indictment, although the Prime Minister had not approved the hiring of foreign consultants for project formulation and technical and construction design for the second campuses of Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc University Hospital, Nguyen Chien Thang, former Director of the Management Board of Key Medical Projects, still signed proposals for Tien to issue decisions permitting the engagement of foreign consultants and approving plans for architectural design selection.

The proposals also let VK Architects and Engineers prepare and present design options and approve the results for both projects. Based on the approved plans, Thang directed subordinates to finalize and legitimize contractor appointment dossiers in violation of the law, enabling the VK Studio–Institute of Medical Equipment consortium to carry out consultancy packages. The actions caused state losses exceeding VND70 billion (US$2.65 million).

To keep projects on schedule, Thang also directed that bidding packages not be split according to technical characteristics and delivery sequence, citing the need for synchronization.

Though the proposal lacked sufficient grounds for such non-division, Nguyen Doan Tu, then Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Equipment and Works, chaired appraisal meetings and submitted documents for Tien to approve.

Following Tien’s approval, Thang directed the preparation and approval of bidding documents, contractor selection, and launch of project packages in breach of regulations. The irregularities caused delays, suspension and failure to meet goals, wasting more than VND733 billion of state assets.

The trial is expected to last one week.