APHFTA blasts health inspectors over graft

By Malela Kassim

Dr. Samwel Ogillo, chief executive officer of APHFTA

Private health facilities in the Tanzania have blamed some health standard inspectors from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for demanding bribes when conducting inspections in different private hospitals and dispensaries in the country.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam recently, the Chief Executive Officer of Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania (APHFTA) Dr Samwel Ogillo said despite the good job done by some of the inspectors, some of their colleagues have disqualified and closed some hospitals and dispensaries with all qualification simply because their owners refused to give bribes to them.

He said some of the inspectors have been using foul language when making inspection rounds in the hospitals and dispensaries, even in matters which need professional dialogue and instruction.

As a result they (inspectors) have created hostility with owners of private hospitals and dispensaries.

“We appreciate some of them are doing a commendable job as the presence of hospitals and dispensaries which do not qualify to provide health services not only affect social health welfares, but also spoil the credibility of private health services in general.”

“So we would ask the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) to work upon the issue and we promise to give them all the necessary information to fight the vice,” he said.

Responding to the allegations in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Health and Social Welfare ministry’s head of communications Nsachris Mwamwaja wanted the owners of the private health facilities to present to the ministry the evidence and names of the inspectors alleged to use foul language. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN