ACC engages community stakeholders in Moyamba district on free health care initiative

In a quest to address public concerns about the free health care initiative and also to encourage increased participation of Government institutions in the fight against corruption the Southern Regional Office of the Anti Corruption Commission has on Thursday 9th August 2012 in a workshop engaged health workers, stakeholders and beneficiaries within Moyamba District on the free health care initiative in Taiama, Kori Chiefdom, Moyamba District.

Welcoming participants and colleagues from the Anti Corruption Commission, the ACC District Coordinator Moyamba Mr. Umar Seasy said the workshop is a significant step in measuring the successes and challenges of the free health care in his District.Mr Sesay admonished participants to use lessons learnt from the workshop to enhance effective service delivery .He said the Anti corruption Commission was established to lead the fight against corruption and that his institution will ensure that corruption will be a thing of the past in the District. Mr. Sesay outlined the three approaches ( public education, prevention, and prosecution ) used by the commission in the fight against corruption

Explaining the rationale of the workshop and also giving a synopsis of the commissions operation, the Senior Investigation Officer South Mr. Gibrilla Bangura who also served a chairman of the occasion reiterated that the fight against corruption is nowadays placed high on the agenda of national platforms and international institutions. Mr. Bangura emphasized that health workers and beneficiaries should perceive the free health care initiative as their baby. He said Sierra Leone has witnessed damaging effects of corruption and that participants should ensure that corruption becomes a thing of the past. He opined that the ACC has accelerated its efforts in the public education sector by recruiting District Coordinators in every district to serve as a focal persons for the commission. Mr. Bangura cautioned participants by mentioning the offences in the Ac Act 2008.

Admonishing participants on behalf of his organization, Mr. Sheku Kanneh the Health for All Coalition M and E specialist- South, maintained that his institution is working with all Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) that benefit from the free health care initiative in Moyamba District. He encouraged community stakeholders to provide support to this laudable programme particularly in the area of accommodation for health workers. Mr. Kanneh said Sierra Leone is doing well towards health care service delivery and that his institution will continue to monitor that progress. He said a facility management committee has been set up for all health facilities. He encouraged beneficiaries and stakeholders to promote blood donation to the blood bank since the blood bank system is poor in the district. In concluding, Mr. Kanneh said the DHMT in Moyamba should ensure that their ambulances are in working order to respond to emergency cases.

Making a statement the Senior Medical Officer, Njala University Dr A.L. Gahin Sama reiterated that the health service providers should not forget to provide support for private health facilities. Dr Sama said the beneficiaries within his catchments area have increased and that communities within the university area are making more use of the university hospital. Dr Sama cautioned participants not to abuse the free health care initiative. Dr Sama requested health service providers for more support for Njala University Hospital.

Representing the District Health Management Team, Mr. Kemoh Mbawah maintained that it is their responsibility to provide health services for the people of Moyamba District. He mentioned the category of people that are to benefit from the free health care (lactating mothers, pregnant women & children under five years) and cautioned participants to ensure that the free health is for these beneficiaries. Mr. Mbawa highlighted the Bemok centres which are operative in the district and said that these facilities provide services very close to that of any completed hospital. Mr. Mbawa cautioned participants that corruption is not only about misappropriating government money, but also about ensuring that the right thing is done. He advised health workers and beneficiaries to do the right thing. Mr. Mbawa concluded by giving update about their operations in the District

A plenary group discussion and presentation led by Mr. Wilfred Bangura- Public Education Officer- South and Mr. Anthony Samu, District Coordinator, Bo, followed by a closing statement by Chief Emmanuel H Tommy, Chiefdom Speaker of Kori chiefdom, climaxed the occasion.

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