NOS News†today, 10:08†Amended today, 11:01
An investigation into a possible corruption case in the Zwolle hospital Isala seems larger than expected. According to de Volkskrant, at least five employees or former employees of the hospital are now suspected of taking bribes.
Last week it was announced that the hospital had suspended two cardiologists because, according to the justice system, they had been bribed for years by a supplier of medical products. In exchange for millions of euros, he would have received preferential treatment from the cardiologists, de Volkskrant reported at the time.
Research by the newspaper shows that the judiciary has now also seized an emeritus professor of interventional cardiology from Radboudumc who worked at Isala, the former director of the Isala Heart Center and a retired cardiologist from the hospital.
Company Shares Chart
The possessions of the two cardiologists who still work at the hospital have also been seized. Lawyers also searched their workplaces, the hospital confirms.
De Volkskrant tried to reach the five suspects, but none of them could be reached for comment so far. The suspects are or were involved with the company Diagram, which conducts commercial and non-commercial cardiovascular research worldwide. It also provides IT services to hospitals. The FIOD recently raided it.
Diagram was founded by the emeritus professor, among others. In total, nine cardiologists jointly hold more than 40 percent in the company.
Isala cannot provide further information about the ongoing investigation, a spokesperson told the NOS. The hospital has made agreements about this with the Public Prosecution Service. The tax investigation service FIOD also does not want to say anything about it.
Relationships explored
An internal and confidential report was drawn up last year. It was about “the sensitive position of the company Diagram”, de Volkskrant reported. The newspaper owns the report.
It discusses, among other things, the tension between non-commercial scientific research and commercial research for medical manufacturers. For example, the report stated that Diagram was partly dependent on commercial parties. Proceeds from commercial research were used in part to fund “often loss-making scientific studies.”
And a good relationship with suppliers as sponsor was important for the cardiologists involved, the report says. The judiciary is currently investigating the exact status of these relationships.
