Former advisers to the interim government led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus received millions of taka in government-funded medical expense payments during their 18-month tenure, according to Cabinet Division records.
Former Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain received the highest amount- Tk 8.191 million- for treatment abroad.
Khalid Hossain, who is suffering from heart-related complications, underwent treatment in Thailand after obtaining government approval. He travelled twice-once late last year and again early this year- and underwent surgery. A physician accompanied him on the first trip, while his daughter and son-in-law accompanied him on the second.
"Still, I have been suffering from some health problems, but I cannot go because the treatment is too expensive."
Asked whether successive governments had failed to improve Bangladesh's healthcare system, he said, "There have certainly been failures. Why have we not been able to build a hospital like Mount Elizabeth? If quality treatment were available in Bangladesh, people would not have to spend so much abroad. This is not a pleasure trip."
Asked why he had not raised the issue during Advisory Council meetings despite serving in the interim government's cabinet, Khalid Hossain said bureaucratic constraints prevented advisers and ministers from accomplishing everything they wanted.
Former Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed received the second-highest amount- Tk 7.938 million-for medical treatment abroad. He said he sought treatment in Singapore after his health complications could not be diagnosed in Bangladesh.
"I discharged my responsibilities with complete honesty. I sought treatment in Singapore after obtaining the government's approval through the proper procedure. I received treatment there on three times," he said.
Former Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain received Tk 870,744, followed by former Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki with Tk 715,649. Former Power Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan received Tk 539,935, former Land Adviser Hasan Arif Tk 267,216, former Education Adviser Dr. M. Aminul Islam Tk 235,729 and former Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder Tk 170,134.
Former Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud received Tk 67,367, former Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan Tk 31,052, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Dr. Anisuzzaman Tk 21,800 and adviser with the status of a state minister Sheikh Moinuddin Tk 4,160.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said government rules allow ministers and those holding the status of a state minister to have their medical expenses covered by the government, including treatment abroad where necessary. However, he stressed that such payments were not fixed monthly or annual medical allowances.
"The government pays medical expenses upon submission of proof of illness and the required bills and vouchers. If money has been received without submitting supporting documents, it is irregular. Those who received the money, as well as those who approved and released the payments, cannot avoid responsibility," he said.
Iftekharuzzaman called for an investigation into whether the payments complied with the prescribed rules and said transparency and accountability must be ensured in approving and disbursing medical expenses.
SK/TF
