Health officials warned

By SAMUEL BARIASI
HEALTH Secretary Pascoe Kase says officials implicated in any misconduct or corrupt practices exposed in Public Accounts Committee inquiry will be suspended pending police investigation.
He confirmed the disciplinary action against department corporate manager Paul Dopsie who was implicated in bribery claims during the committee’s inquiry into the procurement, supply and distribution of medicine.
Kase said he had the authority
to suspend officers who were facing serious allegations against them.
Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Jelta Wong said the department was cooperating with police on what had been revealed during the inquiry.
“We have names that have been (revealed) in the media (which) gives us the opportunity to work with the police force because of the public awareness and reaction of what’s happening,” he said.
Wong said he wanted to address the negative perception people had of the Health Department.
“We will not only look at contracts for procurement, supply and distribution of medicines. We will look into the department as a whole,” he said.
“We have been hearing stories and assumptions over the years about how corrupt the health department is.
“This Government wants to work with the police to clear this once and for all.”
“Health is about our lives and it cannot never be compromised. So this is our step forward.”
Wong thanked the PAC for bringing the issues to light.
“Without the PAC, we would not be at this stage,” he