Interim govt advisers' medical bills from public funds spark debate

The medical expenses claimed by several advisers of the interim government led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus from the public exchequer during their 18-month tenure have sparked debate over the ethical use of state funds.

Former religious affairs adviser AFM Khalid Hossain claimed Tk81.91 lakh from the government for his own treatment, while former finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed received Tk79.38 lakh from the state treasury to cover medical expenses for his wife.

Under existing rules, ministers and their spouses are entitled to government-funded medical treatment. However, the size of the claims made during the advisers' relatively short tenure has prompted questions in some quarters over whether such expenditure was ethically justified.

Salehuddin defends wife's treatment expenses

Salehuddin Ahmed's wife, Parveen Ahmed, had been suffering from cancer before he assumed office. She later underwent treatment in Singapore while he was serving as finance adviser.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Salehuddin said his wife's condition had deteriorated significantly during the final year of her illness.

"I had previously taken my wife to Japan for treatment at my own expense. During her treatment in Singapore under the government facility, I travelled there three or four times and paid for my own airfare and hotel accommodation. Had I claimed those expenses, the total cost would have been almost double," he said.

"I have always discharged my responsibilities with integrity. This benefit is provided under an existing law administered by the Cabinet Division. It was not introduced during the interim government's tenure. Everything was done according to the rules. Why should there be any question about ethics?" he added.

According to asset statements published by the Cabinet Division on 10 February last year, Salehuddin declared assets worth Tk7.16 crore. His wife reported assets worth Tk5.38 crore and liabilities of Tk3.12 crore.

Khalid cites specialist recommendation

AFM Khalid Hossain addressed the issue in a Facebook post today (28 June) following public criticism.

He said a medical board at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases had determined that he required a complex catheter ablation procedure, which could not be performed in Bangladesh because the necessary technology and equipment were unavailable.

According to Khalid, specialists advised him to seek treatment either at a US hospital in Abu Dhabi or at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand.

He said he initially spent around Tk17 lakh on treatment at the Bangkok hospital before undergoing surgery there in January this year at a cost of Tk65 lakh, which was reimbursed by the government.

Khalid added that the original bill had been higher but was reduced after the Bangladesh Embassy in Thailand requested a discount.

According to the Cabinet Division's asset disclosures, Khalid owned assets worth about Tk1.14 crore, while his wife had assets worth Tk14.11 lakh.

Other advisers' medical claims

Among the other former advisers, former power and energy adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan claimed Tk5.39 lakh for medical treatment.

Former land adviser Hassan Ariff claimed Tk2.67 lakh, former education adviser M Aminul Islam Tk2.35 lakh, and former food adviser Ali Imam Majumder Tk1.70 lakh.

Former planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud claimed Tk67,000, former industries adviser Adilur Rahman Khan Tk31,000, chief adviser's special assistant Anisuzzaman Tk21,000, while adviser with the rank of state minister Sheikh Moinuddin claimed Tk4,000.