Valenta replaces Vít as chief sanitary commissioner

Prague, Oct 11 (CTK) - Vladimir Valenta, head of the regional sanitary station in Liberec, north Bohemia, will be new Czech chief sanitary officer as from October 16, replacing the dismissed Michael Vit, Prime Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS) has announced.

Health Minister Leos Heger (TOP 09) dismissed Vit who was on a long-time unpaid leave from the spring, as his deputy.

The police accused Vit, chief sanitary officer from March 2000, on suspicion of abuse of power and breach of trust in connection with alleged manipulation of consultancy orders.

In the second half of September the police asked the state attorney for an extension of the prosecution time.

He is suspected of having placed an order with the husband of his subordinate at the Health Ministry.

The police started investigating the case in September 2011. They have put the damage inflicted at two million crowns for the time being.

Vit faces up to ten years in prison if found guilty.

The vacancy at the post of chief sanitary officer was criticised by the opposition in September when the Health Ministry was coordinating measures against the spread of methanol poisonings that have cost 28 lives and dozens of people were taken to hospital.

Valenta, 53, graduated from the medical faculty of hygiene of Charles University in 1983. He has worked in the branch since then and he also teaches at several schools.