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Four detained in sweeping DOH raids
MEDICAL SCANDAL: Greater Taichung Mayor Jason
Hu’s brother-in-law was among those who were detained as more than 100
investigators raided 17 locations across the nation
By Rich Chang / Staff Reporter, with CNA
Three medical officials and a businessman were taken into
custody yesterday on suspicion of being involved in a growing scandal related to
irregularities in public hospitals’ purchases of medical equipment.
Among them was Greater Taichung Mayor Jason Hu’s (胡志強) brother-in-law, Shaw
Kuo-ning (邵國寧), who is superintendent of the Department of Health’s (DOH)
Taichung Hospital.
The Taoyuan District Court early yesterday ordered that Shaw, Hsinchu Hospital
superintendent Chen Wen-chung (陳文鍾), Chiayi Hospital superintendent Huang Lung-teh
(黃龍德) and a medical supplier surnamed Lai (賴) be detained without bail.
The latest arrests were the result of raids on 17 locations in six -cities and
counties conducted by eight prosecutors and more than 100 investigators on
Friday.
Prosecutors were looking for evidence to back up suspicions that several
hospitals affiliated with the DOH had shady financial dealings in tenders for
ultrasound devices and purchases of biochemical equipment between 2009 and early
this year.
Following the raids, 14 people were summoned for questioning, including the
three superintendents who were later detained. Of the three, Shaw received the
most media attention because he is the younger brother of Hu’s wife, Shirley
Shaw (邵曉鈴).
Also summoned was Penghu Hospital head Lee Ming-chieh (李明杰). He was released on
NT$200,000 bail after being questioned because prosecutors said they were
satisfied he had divulged everything he knew about the case.
Spokesman for the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office Liao Chiang-hsien (廖江憲)
said his office filed a motion to detain the three hospital superintendents and
one businessman to prevent them from tampering with or destroying evidence.
Asked for comment yesterday, Hu said he was surprised to learn of the news.
“One week ago, I asked Shaw Kuo-ning whether he was involved in the hospital
case and he said he was not, so I am surprised to learn of his detention,” he
said.
Hu added that he respected the judicial investigation.
The four detained were the latest suspects to be held in the investigation into
financial dealings between public hospitals and medical equipment suppliers.
In the first round of investigations, DOH Hospital Administration Commission CEO
Hwang Kun-chang (黃焜璋), who is in charge of 29 public hospitals under the DOH,
was detained along with Keelung Hospital superintendent Lee Yuan-fang (李源芳).
Prosecutors said that Hwang was suspected of conspiring with suppliers on
several major bids.
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