By Jeneba Kemoh M’bayo
As part of its strategic engagements with different public institutions, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Kenema Government Hospital have launched the citizens’ service delivery charter at the hospital in Kenema. The Commission says the objective is to control bribery and petty corruption in the hospital. The launch took place at the Kenema Government Hospital.
Public Education Officer of the ACC Jeneba Kemoh M’bayo thanked the management of hospital for such a great move to reintroduce the charter in the hospital. She said improving public service delivery is a one of the main reasons for the Commission’s prevention drives.
“The citizens’ service charter is important to citizens as it spells out the kinds of services provided and the charges. This encourages the culture of transparency and accountability. It makes clear how customers contact the hospital and get further information. It also assures customers that they will receive a fair and informed service,” she said.
She called on the management of the hospital for continuous improvement to ensure effective service delivery to citizens.
Medical Superintendent Dr. I.M Kapuwa said the hospital and the ACC have been working closely to reintroduce the charter in the hospital as the last one the hospital had in 2010 was outdated. He assured his audience that the hospital management will work and improve on their delivery as per the mandate of the service charter.
He said the primary objective of the citizens’ service delivery charter is to ensure transparency and make commitment to serve the patients with the highest possible standards.
In his statement Resident Minister East Andrew Fatoma said the hospital and the government have put together the charter and that his role is to monitor how staff and citizens work in line with it. He encouraged the healthcare workers to work with integrity and transparency, as the attitude of some staff is not encouraging.
Mr. Fatorma called on journalists, civil society and the general township to do justice and report correctly to the appropriate authorities for any abuse of the charter. He encouraged management of the hospital to do more popularization of the charter.
