“Although the present health environment is confronted with its own unique challenges, this should not cause healthcare workers to perpetrate acts of extortion, because it is a breach of the medical ethics. The Medical Superintendent, Pujehun Government Hospital, Dr. Momoh Nyallay said, in a customized meeting organized by the Southern Region Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), held on Friday 22nd October 2021, at the conference room of the Pujehun Government Hospital, Pujehun Town.
Dr. Nyallay encouraged healthcare workers to always serve the public to the best of their ability and in accordance with the principles guiding their profession.
Speaking at the meeting, ACC’s Regional Manger, South, Momodu Sittar, recognized the invaluable contributions of health workers towards the country’s aim of attaining Goal Three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is "Good Health and Well-being". He said that despite the unethical conducts of some health workers, there are many others whose characters are beyond reproach. “The despicable acts of the few should not have a space in a civilized society because saving lives should be prioritized over self-indulgence, because a productive country depends on a healthy citizenry” he averred.
Mr. Sittar admonished the health workers not to be bedfellow with few rogues amongst them who continue to put their career path into the negative spotlight. He affirmed the Commission’s unreserved commitment to working with the health sector to setup the right structures to prevent health facilities being converted into a sanctuary for wrongdoing.
Senior Public Education Officer ACC, Abdulai Saccoh, described healthcare workers as the catalyst to achieving the country’s human capital development goals. He said that corruption is one of the key drivers that have led to the dysfunctionality of State apparatuses. He said for public sector workers to abdicate their responsibility is not only considered as a disservice to the State, but a show of unpatriotic behaviour.
Mr. Saccoh acknowledged the challenges the sector is confronted with but dismissed those who use them as an excuse to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting public who access the facility to seek for quality medical services. He drew the attention of his audience to some of the practices which do not only contravene the health service code but also can trigger ACC investigation. He concluded by dilating on some of the offences and the consequences if any individual falls foul of the law.
Senior Regional Corruption Prevention Officer, Francis K. Lassayo, reminded the health workers of the fundamental principles of their profession which is to save human lives. He said that corruption transcends borders and its adverse effects do not discriminate. He said systems weaknesses which exist in some Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) can only be addressed when public sector workers maintain basic work ethics and adhere to policy and procedures of their institutions. He emphasized that the resistance of some workers to adapt to progressive standard operating procedures has resulted in the loss of lives and resources. Mr. Lassayo dilated on some of ACC’s interventions to enhance integrity, transparency and accountability in healthcare delivery system.
Earlier, Public Education Officer ACC, Mohamed A. Kabba, described the engagement as a platform to educate healthcare practitioners on anti-corruption issues, an attempt to correct some of the misunderstandings, misperceptions, and misconceptions on the work of the Commission, and to interact with them to demystify the Commission. “The ACC is not a witch-hunt institution but rather one which serves as a check on the excesses of public bodies and one working to enlist public support in the fight against corruption. Mr. Kabba, while calling for support for the fight against corruption, said that the Commission does not work in isolation but collectively with other pillars of integrity to combat the scourge of corruption