Former Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long receives $2.25 million in bribes in Covid test kit scandal

Long, with his former secretary Nguyen Huynh, former director of the Hai Duong Disease Control Center Pham Duy Tuyen, former head of the Health Equipment and Works Department Nguyen Minh Tuan, former head of the Planning Department financial Nguyen Nam Lien, Trinh Thanh Hung, former head of the Department of Science and Technology, were accused of receiving bribes from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.

Pham Xuan Thang, former party secretary Hai Duong, has been accused of abuse of power.

Phan Quoc Viet, general director of Viet A company, together with his subordinate Vu Dinh Hiep, were accused of bribery and tender violations leading to serious consequences.

Phan Ton Noel Thao and Ho Thi Thanh Thao, financial advisor and treasurer of Viet A, were accused of bribery.

Chu Ngoc Anh, former minister of Science and Technology, and Pham Cong Tac, vice minister, were accused of violations in the management and use of state property resulting in losses.

Another 25 were accused of tender violations and abuse of power.

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, Viet of Viet A Company directed his subordinates to develop, produce and seek approval for distribution of Covid-19 test kits.

Viet was accused of paying bribes totaling VND106 billion ($4.36 million) to several officials, with Long receiving the highest amount.

Long and his secretary Huynh were accused of intervening to help Vietnamese test kits be registered by the Health Ministry for distribution and price negotiations. They also suggested and asked the Viet to give them money.

In 2020 and 2021, Viet A produced 8.7 million Covid-19 test kits and sold 8.3 million. The company received VND2.25 trillion from the state and was accused of illegally earning VND1.235 billion.