By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged health officials across Borno state to desist from unethical practices, including overbilling, bribery, diversion of drugs, and nepotism in staff recruitment under the guise of tribe or religion.

The Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner in charge of Borno and Yobe states, Mr Linus Gubbi gave the charge on Wednesday during an interactive session with heads of hospitals and departments in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Linus while addressing newsmen after the session, described it as one of the commission’s mandates to enlighten public officers on issues relating to corrupt practices.

He said “This interactive session is part of ICPC’s mandate of public enlightenment and education of public officers on issues relating to corrupt practices.

“You know, issues of health bothers on humans and people in society. So, here, we have interacted with them and enlightened them of some of those practices that are not morally good, especially those that have to do with national ethics and integrity policy of the federal government, making sure that people and officers in healthcare centres operate ethically and morally” he said.

The Resident Commissioner listed what he described as recurring unethical practices in hospitals including diversion of drugs, equipment and fund, overbilling, or falsifying claims among others.

“Healthcare is not just a profession; it is a service of compassion, trust, and public responsibility.

“From ICPC’s work across the country, some recurring unethical practices in hospitals include: Abuse of procurement process, diversion of drugs, eequipment and funds, overbilling or falsifying claims, breaches of patient confidentiality, and nepotism in staff recruitment

“For instance, once you make favouritism a key consideration in recruitment, you will end up recruiting people who are not qualified, with a lack of sound training. You don’t give people preference
because they share your religious background or tribe over a qualified candidate. That will affect the quality delivery of healthcare services” He stressed.

He called on the officials to imbibe national ethics and policies, including integrity, discipline, dignity of labour, justice and fairness, professionalism, patriotism, and leadership by example.

On his part, the Chief Medical Director, BornovState Hospitals Management Board, Abubakar Ali, commended the ICPC for the enlightenment, describing it as one of its kind.

“I highly commend the ICPC, and let me state that, this is the first time we have ever had ICPC or any financial regulating organisation coming down to our doorstep. We are looking forward to more of such interactions”.

He added that continuous engagement will help to address some of the prevalent issues that hospitals have been facing in the past years.

“Usually, it is the failure of these kinds of initiatives that sometimes lead to the challenges that we are facing in the hospital.

“We are managing patients, and there is what is called, a patient’s right. If this kind of intervention is coming at regular basis, it will always remind us of the things to avoid so as not to get into troubles” the CMD said.