SAPO and NABU exposed a criminal organization that profited from the purchase of medical equipment for cancer patients

Specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office together with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine exposed and stopped the activities of an organized group that was getting rich by purchasing medical equipment for cancer patients.

Under the procedural guidance of the SAP prosecutor, NABU detectives handed over suspicions to six persons involved in the criminal case, including representatives of private business and the National Cancer Institute. As a result of the implementation of this scheme, more than 231 million hryvnias were incurred during the procurement of medical equipment for cancer patients.

The actual head of the largest group of business entities specializing in the sale of medical equipment in Ukraine, two trustees from companies controlled by the organizer, the acting director (deputy of the regional council) and two employees of the National Cancer Institute (positions indicated at the time of the crime) were informed of the suspicion. Their actions are qualified under Art. h 1–3 Art. 255, ch. 5th century 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the actual head of the group — the largest supplier of medical equipment in Ukraine “from a syringe needle to a linear accelerator” (including MRI, CT, ambulances, small medical equipment), winner of many public tenders — created a criminal organization.

In its composition, he included trustees from his own companies, as well as employees of the Cancer Institute, using the implementation of the program “Creating a modern clinical base for the treatment of oncological diseases at the National Cancer Institute.”

The group’s goal was to establish control over procurement — from defining the Cancer Institute as the administrator of budget funds to ensuring the non-competitive victory of companies controlled by the organizer.

The investigation established that in order to increase profits, the participants artificially inflated the cost of the equipment that was supposed to be delivered to the institute. An overestimation of up to 50% of the original price was recorded. This is confirmed by materials received by law enforcement officers from 12 countries as part of an international investigation.

Thanks to the implementation of the scheme in the process of modernizing the Cancer Institute into a modern clinical hospital, during 2021-2022, funds in the total amount of UAH 231,035,577.49 were appropriated. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and other possibly involved persons are being identified.