Federal Investigation Agency decided on Wednesday to arrest the wife of PML-N MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar and Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Deputy Programme Manager Dr Saveeta Vankwani for alleged involvement in a vaccine scandal, Express News reported.
The move came as an inquiry was launched in to the loss of pentavalent vaccines worth $3.9 million. The medication had been donated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) eight months ago.
Read: Vaccine wastage: Low-ranking officials made scapegoats
Questions were raised over the continued absence of Dr Vankwani as initial findings suggested lack of supervision and monitoring was responsible for the loss of the pentavalent vaccines.
As the inquiry began, Dr Vankwani was absent although she directly oversees the monitoring of the storeroom. An inquiry committee probing the loss concluded that necessary action will be suggested if she is found guilty.
Read: Spoilt vaccines: Probe body recommends removal of three EPI officials
However, in April the inquiry committee recommended that one senior and two junior staffers of the EPI be removed from their position for negligence.
It found EPI Operations Deputy Director Dr Najamullah Baig, storekeeper Rizwan Bashir and store engineer Altaf Hussain guilty and recommended that they be removed from their posts.
Bashir and Hussain were suspended immediately after the incident was reported.
Read: Upshot of wastage incident: USAID to help revamp vaccine storage system
The pentavalent vaccine protects children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, meningitis and pneumonia.
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