Exclusive: Ukraine's anti-graft bureau probes state tender for medical suits

Employees sew protective suits at the Textile-Contact company's factory in Chernihiv, Ukraine April 29, 2020. Picture taken April 29, 2020. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian anti-corruption officials are investigating a tender for 71,000 hospital protective suits during the coronavirus pandemic after the government for the first time bypassed its own procurement rules in the health sector.

Ukraine, long dogged by rampant corruption, has won rare praise from international donors for its efforts to overhaul procurement processes and tackle graft in its health system. The donors' aid, which hinges on Kiev's success in tackling graft, is sorely needed as a deep recession looms.