The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kenema has on the 6th August 2019 encouraged the Kenema District Health Management Team (DHMT) and ‘In-Charges’ at all Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in Kenema District to partner with the ACC in the fight against corruption by resisting, rejecting and reporting corruption.
This happened during the monthly ‘In-Charges’ meeting at the Kenema District Council Hall.
ACC Public Education Officer East, Sylvanus Blake while presenting a copy of a systems review report titled; “Strengthening Integrity in the Management of Drugs and other Medical and Related Services in Government Medical Facilities” prepared by the ACC, to the District Medical Officer, Kenema, Dr. Donald Grant, stated that citizens are of the view that the war against corruption is one to save the soul of this nation.
He explained some of the gains recorded by the nation/ACC in the recent past in the fight against corruption and encouraged his audience to support the fight against graft which he termed as “the fight for the general good”.
Using the image of the scourge of corruption to a virus, Blake stated that the ACC has just one prescription for this virus, be it small, big or mighty that is; “it is punishable”. The Commission has one agenda, which is to fight corruption and to fight it so briskly and brutally to a successful end, Blake added.
Borrowing the words of the ACC czar, Francis Ben Kaifala, Blake stated that, “the fight against corruption has been repositioned to one that is fierce, but fair”. He urged his audience to side with the truth and do righteousness always. He cautioned health wworkers strongly against all forms of misuse of medicial facilities and resources intended to the benefit the public, stating that the ACC shall investigate and where possible charge to court anyone who commits corruption offence(s) irrespective the amount involved.
Mohamed Alhaji Jah, ACC Investigations Officer Kenema, admonished medical staff to desist from practices that constitute corruption. He explained the offences of Soliciting and Accepting an Advantage, Abuse of Position and Office, and Misappropriation of Public/Donor Funds/Property among many others as contained in the Anti Corruption Act of 2008 linking them to the responsibilities of public officers. He stated that as public officers, they are obliged to uphold the core values of integrity, transparency and accountability at all times in the discharge of their duties.
The Kenema District Medical Officer, Dr. Donald Grant expressed delight for the periodic awareness raising drive by the ACC and urged his staff to comply with best practices and procedures. He urged them to exhibit love for humanity, reject corruption and save more lives.