Health Ministry Overturns Reinstatement of Doctor in ATK Procurement Case
Thailand's Public Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Somruk Chuengsaman has rejected a Civil Service Commission order to reinstate Dr. Supat Hasuwanakij, who was dismissed over serious misconduct in an ATK test kit procurement scandal. Dr. Somruk ordered the revocation of his deputy's compliance with the Commission's ruling, citing unanswered questions and a pending request for additional information. The case remains active as the Ministry prepares its response to the Commission.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health has overturned the Deputy Permanent Secretary's order to revoke the dismissal of Dr. Supat Hasuwanakij, former president of the Rural Doctors Society and former director of Jana Hospital and Saba Yoi Hospital, in a serious disciplinary case involving the procurement of ATK COVID-19 rapid test kits. A suspension letter is expected to be issued on October 23. Dr. Somruk Chuengsaman, the Permanent Secretary, disagreed with Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Sakda Alphan's compliance with a Civil Service Commission order to reinstate Dr. Supat, stating the Commission's resolution still raises questions and has requested additional information, meaning the case remains unresolved. The Commission viewed that an investigator in Dr. Supat's case had a conflict of interest, but the Ministry believes this can be explained. The Commission has already requested additional information from the Ministry, and there is still time to submit a response. Therefore, Dr. Somruk disagrees with Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Sakda Alphan's order to revoke Dr. Supat's dismissal.
