Trial of 12 accused in medical equipment bidding scandal at Hà Nội Heart Hospital begins

HÀ NỘI — The trial of 12 people, including former officials and leaders, for "violating regulations on bidding, causing serious consequences" in medical equipment bidding at the Hà Nội Heart Hospital began on Monday. The defendants stand accused of causing more than VNĐ53.6 billion (US$2.2 million) in damages to Hà Nội Heart Hospital and the Social Insurance Fund. According to the indictment announced at the trial, since 2015, Nguyễn Quang Tuấn directed Hoàng Nga Company and Kim Hòa Phát Company to send medical supplies to be used in advance by Hà Nội Heart Hospital. Defendants Nguyễn Quang Tuấn, Hoàng Thị Ngọc Hưởng, Nguyễn Thị Dung Hạnh, Nghiêm Tuấn Linh and Đoàn Trọng Bình abused their positions to intervene in bidding activities illegally. Afterwards, the defendants at Hà Nội Heart Hospital colluded with the defendants at AIC Company to issue appraisal certificates at the request and a fixed price of Hà Nội Heart Hospital, which Nguyễn Quang Tuấn approved.