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Police, auditors to probe fraud at Public Health Ministry
Talking tough: Minister Volda Lawrence
Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, on Tuesday warned senior employees to look out for police detectives and Finance Ministry internal auditors, who will soon begin investigations into the “misappropriation of funds and the blatant attempts to steal” public funds.
Lawrence, a professional accountant, told employees when she took over the mantle in January 2017 that she would not tolerate dishonest employees.
“In a frank discourse with senior MOPH officials, the Public Health Minister raised questions about “blatant attempts to steal” and other brazen dishonest acts perpetrated by MOPH employees.
`Lawrence said the police and officials from the Ministry of Finance will carry out open investigations into ongoing corrupt practices by staff members.”
According to Minister Lawrence, fraud has been ongoing a long time at the Public Health Ministry.
Cautioning programme managers, who appeared stunned by her revelations, Lawrence said, “I am advising you to check what you sign and ensure that it meets the regulatory requirements and it is in keeping with your programmes.”
Lawrence reiterated, “I will not compromise on the issue of accountability within the public health sector’.
According to the Ministry in a statement, the Minister did not hide her distaste of employees who have been “sabotaging the Ministry left, right and centre.”
Some workers have even been sending missives on internal MOPH matters to persons outside the Public Service Structure, Lawrence revealed.
She said that letter writers will shortly have the opportunity to “bring the evidence” to support their claims.
Less threatening, but equally toxic, she said, is the issue of insubordination, which is rife among some categories of employees.
“Some parts of the MOPH train have been derailed (and) the madness has to stop,” Minister Lawrence said.
In recent years, there have been accusations of widespread ‘runnings’ in the Ministry with procurement of drugs and other medical supplies.
Not only were the procedures skewed to allow certain contractors to be awarded contracts, but there were accusations, too, of pharmacists, nurses and even doctors pilfering drugs distributed under government programmes to hospitals and health centres.
The Health Ministry’s procurement budget is more than $4B annually.
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