Head of Mykolaiv hospital's operating room seized with 15 thousand dollars

A scheme to sell fake medical diagnoses to evade mobilization was exposed in Mykolaiv. Following searches, investigators found tens of thousands of dollars in alleged bribes in the office of a hospital official.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.

The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating criminal proceedings against officials of the City Emergency Hospital, a non-profit municipal enterprise of the Mykolaiv City Council, who are suspected of organizing a bribery scheme and obstructing the legitimate activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, the scheme involved the production of forged medical documents that gave persons liable for military service the right to be assigned to a disability group and receive a deferral from mobilization. At the center of the scheme are members of the expert team No. 1 for assessing the daily functioning of a person.

This team included: a proctologist, who also holds the position of head of the operating room; a surgeon from the same medical institution, who also served as an administrator; and an orthopedic traumatologist.

The investigation established that in exchange for a bribe of USD 11 thousand, these medical professionals entered false information into official documentation, formed fictitious medical reports and made false diagnoses. This allowed the persons liable for military service to avoid service during mobilization by obtaining the status of a disabled person for health reasons.

In early April, law enforcement officers searched the office of the suspected doctor. During the investigation, a significant amount of material evidence was found and seized.

The seized items include an iPhone 11 cell phone with a SIM card, two bank cards, and cash in various currencies. In particular, law enforcement officers seized thousands of hryvnias in various denominations, as well as more than $15,000. The proctology surgeon was served a notice of suspicion of bribery. Finally, the judge arrested the property seized during the search.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Law enforcers are checking the possible involvement of others in the organization of the scheme, as well as identifying all those who used illegal services to evade mobilization.

Doctors from Voznesensk medical institutions are also under investigation. In particular, the recruits were found to be unfit or fit to serve in rear units, such as logistics, security or medical units.

Анна Бальчінос