Don\\\'t make sweeping allegations: Nasim urges TIB

Health Minister Mohammed Nasim has urged Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) not to make ‘sweeping allegations’ against any sector of Bangladesh. ‘If you have specific allegations, I’ll look into it,’ Nasim said while responding to a question on the graft watchdog’s report on the health sector. Earlier, the TIB had alleged in a report that doctors recruited on ad-hoc basis had to pay between Tk 0.3 million to Tk 0.5m to get jobs. The previous (2009-13) Awami League-led government had recruited over 4,500 such doctors. TIB, however, did not specify how many medics paid money to get the job and to whom the bribes were paid. The report accused members of the ruling party’s medical group Swachip’s field officials, office assistance, and administrative officials of taking the money for ‘managing’ the job. The accusation is based on a ‘focus group discussion (FGD)’ of 36 people involved in this sector and one-to-one interview of some key health sector informants. Asked by a journalist whether action would be taken against those involved with the corruption, the health minister said he would take actions if the TIB give specific information, according to a news agency.