By Ndinatsei Mavodza
MASVINGO – A combination of inadequate whistleblower protection, unqualified internal auditors, and citizens’ fear of life-threatening retaliation is creating a culture of silence around corruption in health sector.
This was revealed during a strengthening transparency accountability in health sector workshop organized by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) in partnership with TellZim News at Urban Lifestyles Hotel on November 13.
Speaking at the workshop, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) representative Prosecutor Tarisai Muvengi outlined systemic failures crippling corruption prosecutions citing limited protection of whistle blowers.
“There is limited protection of whistle blowers and victims of corruption and weak enforcement of existing laws and disciplinary mechanisms and because of this several cases go unreported.”
He revealed a critical weakness in the justice chain citing unqualified internal auditors whose testimonies often collapses in court.
“As NPA at times we faced challenges of internal auditors who do not have qualifications in different organizations. The defense lawyer will simply ask the witness, who would be the internal auditor, of his or her qualification. At times they would say I have a finance degree, and that makes it difficult for us to stand ground when the key witness has no requisite qualification to do an audit,” said Muvengi.
To address these gaps, the NPA recommended the establishment of clear enforcement mechanisms and breaches of integrity, including sanctions for unethical conduct and corruption.
Muvengi further called for the strengthening of the Auditor General’s oversight of health sector finances and ensure audit findings are acted upon.”
One participant Prosper Tiringindi articulated the life or death fears that keep corruption unreported for fear of being given wrong medication.
“At times we see wrong doing or corruption at health service centres but we are afraid of reporting because there is no protection and we fear that we may be given wrong treatment. A man may be injected with a birth control injection (Depo) to spite him for reporting, and that makes us keep quiet at times,” said Tiringindi.
Another participant described the heartbreaking coercion patients face, explaining that health issues were matters of life and death, forcing even unwilling citizens to pay bribes simply to save lives at stake.
Masvingo District Medical Officer Dr. Godfrey Zimbwa who was representing the Ministry of Health and Child Care, acknowledged the urgent need for reform and protection of whistle blowers.
“Whistle blower protection and establishment of reporting channels that allows reporters to feel safe and report without fear of retaliation are necessary to curb corruption,” said Dr Zimbwa.
Participants agreed that there was need for stiffer penalties for corruption offenders as well as making sure that health service providers are well catered for to reduce corruption temptation.
