On January 12, 2024, Nguyen Thanh Long, the former health minister of Vietnam, was sentenced to 18 years in jail by the Hanoi People’s Court. The verdict came in the wake of a major Covid-19 test kit scandal, where Long was found guilty of taking bribes.

To know more: https://www.fcctimes.com/2024/01/03/former-health-minister-and-officials-on-trial-in-hanoi-over-overpriced-covid-19-test-kit-scandal/?utm_source=RZOLUTWebsite&utm_medium=FCC_PoI_15Jan24

Long’s conviction centered on allegations of collusion with Viet A Technology Corp, a private medical firm, in selling COVID-19 test kits at inflated prices. He is said to have received bribes totaling VND51 billion (US$2.25 million) from Viet A Company.

The Hanoi People’s Court also delivered sentences for 37 individuals, including those associated with Viet A, former officials from health and science ministries, and former officials from various provinces’ Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).