AUDITOR GENERAL QUESTIONS IDLE EQUIPMENT About P13 million worth of medical equipment that was bought in 2008 is still lying idle in hospitals. Five digital x-ray machines were to be installed at Princess Marina, Letsholathebe, Sekgoma, Scottish Livingstone and Mahalapye hospitals. The performance audit report on procurement of medical equipment from the Office of Auditor General said the supplier delivered the machines in 2008 at the ministry’s headquarters. The report cited a letter that the ministry wrote to the supplier two years after the delivery, complaining that the equipment was not installed. The machines, according to the report, could have benefited the hospitals in that they would make radiology departments filmless and deliver images to requesting physicians speedily. The referring physicians would also view the requested images on personal computers and receive the report in a few minutes after the examination was performed. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson, Mr. Nehemiah Modubule has also questioned why the x-ray machines were still in boxes after five years. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho, told the PAC that the company that was awarded the supply tender should have installed the machines but did not have the expertise. Dr Malefho said the company was paid for the whole tender although it had not completed the work. He expressed concern about the processes and requirements put in place by the Public Procurement Asset Disposal Board, (PPADB) saying they thwarted the procurement processes of organisations. He called for the review of the PPADB Act, saying the current one impeded efficiency in procurement. For his part, Mr. Modubule said it was important for accounting officers to ensure that ministries did not unnecessarily lose money. He said it was also important for the committee to engage the PPADB in order to be able to find ways to improve the situation. Mr Gilson Saleshando, a member of the PAC, said the Ministry of Health was facing many challenges, but applauded them for being open to the committee. Mr Saleshando said the sharing of challenges was important as it required concerted effort to assist in offering quality service to the public. (BOPA)
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 19:59:16 +0000
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