Tartu Hospital Clinic Head Probed in €25M Procurement Case
Katre Maasalu, the head of the Orthopedics Clinic at Tartu University Hospital, has been named a formal suspect in a criminal investigation into the alleged rigging of a €25 million public tender for essential trauma and joint endoprosthesis supplies.
- —The head of the Orthopedics Clinic at Tartu University Hospital, Katre Maasalu, has been formally suspected of serious violations of public procurement requirements.
- —The investigation centers on a public tender for trauma osteosynthesis materials and joint endoprostheses, valued at approximately 25 million euros.
- —Investigators suspect that two specific companies were unfairly favored in the procurement process.
- —Searches were conducted at the clinic last week in connection with the ongoing investigation.
- —The investigation is being led by the Central Criminal Police and the regional prosecutor's office specializing in economic and corruption crimes.
Recap
This investigation exposes the inherent vulnerabilities in high-value public healthcare procurement. The focus on a clinic head for allegedly manipulating a €25 million contract suggests a targeted inquiry into insider influence rather than simple administrative error. The involvement of the Central Criminal Police indicates authorities are treating this as a significant corruption case, potentially with systemic implications for how such critical medical supply tenders are awarded and overseen in Estonia.