Health Ministry commences Operational Budget Workshop for District Health Management Teams

The importance of transparency, accountability and probity in resource management and utilization

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Sarian Kamara has underscored the importance of transparency, accountability and probity in resource management and utilization. 

Addressing District Medical Officers at the Shangri La Hotel on their Operational Budget for end of Quarter Four 2016 to 2017, Dr. Kamara said the two day workshop should give the District Medical Officers an opportunity to review their plan and ensure they are appropriately aligned. The maximum use of the resources, Dr. Kamara said must be efficiently and accurately captured for future additional support.

She encouraged them to participate in line with the expected plan and thanked WHO for providing the support.

The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Anders Nordstrom reminded the District Medical Officers to explore areas for rehabilitation, power supply, and other key areas of financial expenditure, and  proper accounting system.

He said a lot of engagement was done at central level for 2017 that calls for proper planning and management of funds, adding that misuse of funds or lack of proper handling of resources would not be a tangible excuse for accountability.

Dr. Nordstrom reiterated WHO’s commitment on the President’s Recovery Priorities, and spoke on empowering the decentralization to strengthen output, maintaining that his organization will continue working on resilient IPC Budgetary, maternal and child health, taking into account immunization, malaria, health information system and community engagement.

A presentation looking at the progress made on the President’s Recovery 10-24 months plan on maternal and child health, targeting life- saving intervention of 600 women and 5, 000 children by 2018, and major challenges on funding, support for blood services, and recruitment of personnel for Basic Emergency Maternal Obstetric Care Services by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer was highlighted.

Other success stories highlighted by Dr. Sarian Kamara includes the ongoing recruitment and training process for the National Ambulance Service, establishment of Adolescents and Youth Friendly facilities in all districts for the reduction of Teenage Pregnancy, the distribution of 150 refrigerators and solar systems and the establishment of a Para Medical and Midwifery Training Schools in the north and south.

Other highlights include presentations on the introduction to operational funds support to District Health Management Teams, lessons learned from Phase 1 Operational Budget Support, monitoring and supportive supervision, and community engagement and partner coordination. 

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