The north-west regional manager of the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC), Al-Hassan Sesay, has warned nurses in charge of Community Health Centres across Karene District to desist from extortion, bribery and other corrupt practices while performing their duties or face the full force of the law.
He issued the warning in a recent meeting which he had with nurses in charge of 56 Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in Karene District at the Kamakwie Town Hall on July 26, 2020.
Addressing the heads of the PHUs and other health workers,
Manager Sesay expressed dismay over reported incidences of extortion from the free health care beneficiaries at community level in the health service delivery system, adding that health workers play a crucial role to the health and survival of the beneficiaries who constitute the human resource of the state. He noted that as In-Charges working in PHUs they are considered public officers and are covered by the Anti-Corruption laws.The ACC Regional Manager emphasized the Commission’sserious concern over corrupt practices which are prevalent in PHUs such as thievery of medical supplies, bribery, extortion and absenteeism. “As the ACC is now closer to your door steps,” he said, “it will no longer be business as usual and defaulters or wrongdoers will not be friends of the ACC.” “Desist from wrong or corrupt practice or you stand to face the wrath of the ACC,” he warned, and also informed them that as they execute their duties, they must bear in mind that the ACC’s elite scorpion squad will sting at any time when the need arise making reference to an incident in Bo in which a health practitioner allegedly collected monies from nurses in exchanged for them to be given Government pin codes. Manager Sesay also clearly explained the implications of key offences relating to corruption including: offering, soliciting and accepting advantage, misappropriation of public and donor funds, abuse of office and position among others. He encouraged them to conduct themselves in accordance with the ethics of their profession which demands a high sense of integrity when they discharge their functions. The 56 In-Charges in the PHUs were also briefed on the various reporting mechanism to the ACC as well as supporting the fight against graft and bribery.
In his welcome remarks, the District Medical Officer Dr. Chernor S. Jalloh, thanked the team for engaging and educating them on various issues of corruption in the sector which will also guide them in carrying out their duties in their respective PHUs across the district.
Questions, comments and concerns from the health workers formed part of the discussions followed by the presentation of IEC materials.
By Sallieu S. Kanu
18/8/2020. ISSUE NO: 7890