The Ministry of Health has hinted that it will soon put in place a new computerized supply system at all public regional medical stores in an attempt to avert corrupt practices.
On January 13, 2015, the Tema Central Medical Stores was consumed by fire, resulting in the destruction of medical supplies and equipment.
[contextly_sidebar id=”vJjT4RUcqjqq1NgoYedUS0XY6WRzuz0g”]Following investigations, some supervisors including a labourer at the facility, were indicted for deliberately causing the fire as a cover up for corrupt activities there.
In an interview with Citi News, the Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, indicated the resolve of the Ministry to put in place systems to prevent corrupt activities in all the stores across the country.
“We are bringing in a new supply chain management system. We’ve got some donor support for that. We are setting up a whole new system to ensure that the movement of drugs, the ability to track and move from the central medical stores to the hospitals, the drugs can be followed right through and there will be clear accountability as to what happens on a computerized basis,” he explained.
The Minister of Health agreed there were indeed lapses in the old system but he assured that the new system will ensure greater accountability.
“There were lapses, too many lapses so that people could get away with a lot of things. This time round, it is going to be different and the accountability comes from well stocked computer data from looking at the way things are put together. For me, the new process, the accountability is going to be much greater now within the process for purchase and procurement within the Ministry of Health,” Mr Segbefia added.
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By Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com