ACC partners with health sector stakeholders in Bo
In a bid to enhance the fight against corruption through public education, prevention, enforcement and compliance for the benefit of all citizens, the Southern Regional Office of the Anti -Corruption Commission has on Wednesday 7th March, 2012 engaged stakeholders in the Health sector at the Bo Government Hospital. The engagement was to sensitise the personnel in the health sector about the work of the commission and forge partnership with them in the fight against corruption.
Welcoming the staff of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. Musa expressed satisfaction for the timeliness of the meeting and pledged his institution’s support and commitment in the fight against corruption. He promised to ensure that medical personnel in the district work hand in glove with the ACC in promoting the fight against corruption. Complimenting the statement of the DMO, the medical superintendent of the Bo Government hospital Dr. Alimamy P. Koroma said that the services delivered by the secondary health care management team are transparent and accessible to all. He opined that his institution continues to contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone through effective and efficient health service delivery to the community; and maintained that as an institution they have been very supportive of the initiatives of the commission. The medical superintendent cautioned other health sector personnel present in the meeting to be transparent and corrupt free.
Speaking on the need for effective corruption control in the health sector, Mr. Wilfred Bangura, Public Education Officer, South, reminded the audience about issues of transparency and accountability in the area of drug management and delivery to targeted beneficiaries. Mr Bangura informed participants that as a commission they were happy for the engagement with the personnel as that was the beginning of a sustained partnership and collaboration between the two institutions in the fight against corruption. Mr. Bangura highlighted few offences in the 2008 Act which included misappropriation of public funds and property, abuse of office, unexplained wealth to name but a few. He informed health sector personnel that the Commission has the mandate to investigate all forms of corruption, no matter the amount of money or individuals involved; and stated that a minimum fine of Thirty (30) million Leones or imprisonment for not less than three (3) years or both fine and prison term will be the penalty for perpetrators of corrupt practices.
Making his contribution in the programme, Mr. Mohamed Dumbuya, Regional Manager South, congratulated health sector personnel for working steadfastly to improve the health sector. He gave a brief background of how and why the ACC was established and reminded the audience about the tremendous efforts the commission had made in reviewing the health sector over the years; coupled with the solid recommendations they as an institution had proffered to enhance an effective health delivery system in the country. Mr. Dumbuya reminded participants that corruption has a very negative effect on the development of Sierra Leone. He stressed the need for partnership with other stakeholders including staff in the health sector to boost efforts in the fight against corruption.
In her closing remarks, the matron in charge of the hospital highlighted the constraints faced by the hospital management team and also made a commitment to ensuring that health personnel set the brightest of examples. She assured the Commission that their institution and the ACC will work together in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.
Questions and answers, suggestions and comments formed the high point of the meeting.
ACC
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