Corruption Scandal at KBC Zagreb: How Deals Were Rigged and Thousands of Euros Stolen!
Imagine a hospital — a place where trust and care should rule, not corruption and rigged deals! That’s exactly what happened at the Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb (KBC Zagreb), where key figures were arrested for rigging contracts and accepting bribes worth tens of thousands of euros.
Secret Recordings and Arrests Investigators secretly recorded for a year how public procurement tenders were rigged at KBC Zagreb. In a major police and USKOK operation, six suspects were arrested, including Ana Budimir, head of the clinical department of molecular microbiology, head nurse Romana Palić, and three other officials responsible for procurement.
How Were Deals Rigged? According to the indictment, tenders were open for only 20 minutes, and everything was pre-arranged so that the company Airmed Solutions, whose director Matija Herceg was also arrested, would win the contracts. USKOK claims Herceg illegally earned at least 100,000 euros!
Secret recordings reveal how suspects arranged tender conditions, sent documentation outside the hospital, and pressured competitors to withdraw their bids. One official even persuaded a competing company to withdraw their offer by promising money, which is strictly illegal.
Bribes in the Form of Trips and Money The arrested received bribes ranging from 10,000 euros to payment for home renovations. All this was done to favor one company, while other companies were deliberately disqualified, even though they offered prices up to 30% lower.
Corruption Extends to Šibenik Hospital The investigation doesn’t stop in Zagreb. USKOK found that the same company, Airmed Solutions, secured a contract at the General Hospital of Šibenik-Knin County, where tender specifications were tailored exclusively to the products offered by that company. A competing offer, although 30% cheaper, was rejected on the grounds of non-compliance with technical specifications.
How Much Money Was Stolen? USKOK estimates illegal profits in this case alone at least 90,000 euros, with Matija Herceg’s total illegal earnings at least 100,000 euros.
Criminal Charges and Investigation USKOK filed charges against eight Croatian citizens and one legal entity for bribery, illegal favoring, and abuse of office. Six suspects face pre-trial detention due to the risk of reoffending and witness tampering.
Why Are We Not Surprised? While ordinary citizens struggle with health issues and wait for appointments, behind the scenes a soap opera of bribery mafia unfolds. Who can you trust when corruption thrives even in hospitals?
Conclusion This scandal is just the tip of the iceberg in a system that allows public money to be spent on rigged deals and personal profit. While justice tries to catch up, citizens are left wondering — when will someone actually be held accountable?
If you have similar stories or think this is just the beginning, drop a comment below. Who knows, maybe together we’ll uncover more secrets from hospital corridors!
This is one of those cases that makes you wonder — is healthcare really a place for healing or a place for stealing?
