A major corruption investigation is targeting six experienced cardiologists, including two from the OLVG hospital in Amsterdam and four who recently worked at the CWZ hospital in Nijmegen.
The Fiscal Information and Investigation Service suspects the specialists took money from makers of cardiology equipment in exchange for preferential treatment, including using their products more often during medical procedures.
Raids and property seizures
The Public Prosecution Service seized eight properties across Amsterdam, Nijmegen, and Naarden with a combined value of at least €1.5 million. The seized assets include private homes worth hundreds of thousands of euros each and a storage unit registered to one of the doctors.
Three of the former CWZ doctors now work at the Acibadem Medical Center, an independent clinic operator with branches in four Dutch cities. Early Thursday morning, authorities raided the homes of those doctors, who have now been suspended by the clinic.
Hospital ties cut
OLVG confirmed that the fraud agency is investigating possible corruption to the detriment of the hospital. CWZ stated that it has been notified by investigators and no longer collaborates with the cardiologists involved.
Two of the suspects previously led research funded by medical device suppliers, while another trained junior cardiologists.
The case echoes an ongoing 2022 bribery investigation at the Isala Heart Center in Zwolle, where specialists were suspected of accepting money from a German pacemaker manufacturer.
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