The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that 13,350 diapers meant for antenatal care at a Primary Health Centre in the Sambawa community of Kebbi State have been stolen.
Penpushing reports that Chairman of the commission Musa Adamu made the disclosure at a one-day conference with the theme “Engendering Corruption-Free Primary Health Care Delivery For All’, held in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the conference organized by the establishment vowed to unravel the alleged missing diapers, stressing that the commission would investigate the criminal conduct and bring the culprits to book.
‘Recently, the Sambawa community in Kebbi State sent a petition to us regarding missing antenatal care items for pregnant women and newborn babies donated to a healthcare facility, the commission boss stated.
“Our preliminary investigation indicated that the missing diapers allocated to Sambawa Primary Healthcare Centre are 13,350 pieces, while the investigation by Kebbi State Primary Healthcare Agency puts it at 3,466’, he added
Penpushing further reports that Adami pointed out that, though two staff members of the Sambawa Primary Healthcare Centre, a male and a female, were indicted for the missing items, assuring that the commission would unravel the criminal conduct and bring the culprits to book.
The chairman added that communities and civil society organisations were becoming more interested in tackling corruption in the health sector, stressing that the commission was implementing measures to ensure corruption-free primary healthcare delivery in the country.
Penpushing also reports that Adamu explained that the commission organised the conference as part of the efforts to enlist and foster public support in combating corruption in the nation, adding that the conference is specifically organised to stimulate discussions that will help improve service delivery devoid of windows for corrupt tendencies in the health sector.
“This has become necessary considering the sector’s critical nature and its role in ensuring a healthy society at all levels. The Commission’s choice of Primary Health Care in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the pilot for the nationwide conversation is to create a comprehensive template that can be replicated in all the six geopolitical zones of the federation’, he said.
“Participants were carefully drawn from community healthcare stakeholders to have a holistic and collaborative approach to improving the effectiveness of primary healthcare service delivery’, the chairman added.
Penpushing reports that he said the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to be signed at the conference would provide opportunities for the cross-fertilisation of anti-corruption ideas and harness available resources to address issues that hinder people from enjoying a corruption-free healthcare system in Nigeria
The Minister of Health, Muhammed Pate, in his remarks stated that the nation’s Primary Health Centres (PHCs) faced multifaceted challenges, including corruption that must be urgently tackled, adding that corruption in the health sector could not be isolated from other sectors.
Penpushing further reports that he pointed out that Nigeria had a prosperous future but prosperity would only come if citizens did the right things collectively, lamenting that corruption is a long-standing issue that should be addressed
So, when we look at the issue of corruption in Nigeria, which is a long-standing issue, it’s almost everywhere but how do you address it? It’s a huge challenge and it’s a systemic challenge. It is also a multi-institutional challenge; this conversation will determine what to do about it. The volume of mortality is on the poorest when we access Nigeria’s health utilisation and output in the continent, compared to so many other countries’, Pate said.
Penpushing also reports that the Minister said, there is a need to strengthen regulatory bodies so that they do not become predators, while in his own contributions the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, said Primary Health Care was the bedrock of any nation’s health system.
‘It is the first point of contact for individuals, families, and communities, playing a critical role in preventing diseases, promoting health, and ensuring the well-being of our citizens. However, the integrity and efficacy of this vital sector can be severely undermined by corruption’, he stated.
” Corruption in primary health care delivery not only diverts essential resources but also erodes trust in public institutions, compromises the quality of care, and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in our society. Therefore, tackling this issue is not just a necessity but a moral imperative’, Iziguzo added
Penpushing reports that participants at the conference include representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), the United Nations Development Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Meanwhile, others are the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives
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