TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) has commended the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) for its ambition for reform, aimed at addressing poor procurement processes that has caused devastating reputational damages to the ministry in the past.
Speaking during the launching of the tender for the construction of a Pharmacy Store in Lata, Temotu Province, Wednesday, at the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) headquarters in Honiara, the MHMS Procurement Manager, Elison Gauwane said that the ministry is now under new management that acknowledges its past mistakes and is reforming to make things right.
“I want to make it clear that there is no room for poor procurement practices, game playing or corruption,” Mr Gauwane said.
He further stated that the Ministry maintains a zero tolerance policy on fraud and takes a hard commercial approach against any firm or organisation that attempts to make unjust claims against the Ministry, or attempts to bend policy to suit their own region or interests.
“Many staff has been suspended for suspected fraud or corruption, and this process of weeding them out will not stop.
“The Internal Audit team is empowered and skilful, there is no longer anywhere left to hide for those who seek to divert our Health funds to themselves or their cronies,” Mr Gauwane stated.
Commenting on this MHMS reform statements, the TSI Executive Officer, Edward Ronia said that as an organization that is very vocal against corruption dealings with regards to government procurement procedure, we see the path that the current MHMS Internal Audit team is undertaking as a best practice to roll-back poor procurement and corruption.
“We have seen copies of the MHMS procurement reform and it is encouraging to see comprehensive accountable and transparent measure been put in-place to drive the Ministry to attained best and good procurement.”
“MHMS is showing the way forward by learning from its past to make things right and provide better health service and well being of the people of Solomon Islands,” Mr Ronia concluded.
– TSI Communication
