The Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge, has suspended two of its staff for engaging in administrative malpractice which have the tendency of tarnishing the image of the hospital.
The officers were caught by BBC investigative team “Africa Eye” allegedly selling personal protective equipment (PPE) belonging to a private individual on the premises of the hospital.
They are Thomas Osei, Medicine Counter Assistant, and Divine Kumordzi of the Sewing Unit of the hospital.
A statement from the management of the hospital said even though the items did not belong to the hospital and did not also constitute the hospital’s COVID-19 stock, either donated or procured, their action constituted a breach of the Ghana Health Service Code of Conduct.
“As a hospital, we do not encourage this behaviour since it may adversely affect their output and also be misconstrued by the public as items of the facility,” the statement said.
It added that Osei was serving a two-week suspension without salary for inappropriate and unauthorised sale of PPE on the hospital premises, while Kumordzi would refund all money realised with regard to unauthorised and inappropriate sale of nose masks on the hospital’s premises and further serve a two-week suspension without salary.
Suspension
The statement said management of the hospital stopped the practice immediately it came to its attention and ordered an audit of the stock of PPE before arriving at its conclusion.
It said the prescribed sanction was in line with the provisions of the Ghana Health Service Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.
“We want to use this opportunity to assure our stakeholders that all donations and items procured, which are routed through the Hospital’s Main Stores managed by a Senior Supply Manager and Head of Stores, and supervised by Head of Administration, are intact.
“Management would like to use this medium to send a strong warning to staff who will violate rules and regulations governing the hospital. Let’s all abide by the rules of engagement for the benefit of the patient and the country as a whole,” the statement said.
Source: graphic.com.gh
