Question NW1235 to the Minister of Health
05 May 2022 - NW1235
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
Noting that the recent report of the Auditor-General details irregularities pertaining to his department which have also been noted in previous reports, what (a) steps have been taken to rectify the irregularities identified and (b) action will be taken against those who keep repeating the same irregularities identified?
Reply:
(a) The department has reviewed its Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy and aligned it with the National Treasury SCM Instruction Notes and Circulars that are issued from time to time by National Treasury. Currently NDOH SCM is also reviewing its Standard Operating Procedure of SCM to be also in line with the new with the intension to workshop rework shop all their internal stakeholders (different branches and clusters in the department). With these workshops is the enhance compliance with prescripts and bring everyone on board with the latest developments in SCM space.
(b) Section 38 of the PFMA and Chapter 8 of the Irregular Expenditure Framework issued by National Treasury direct that disciplinary steps must be taken against officials responsible for irregular expenditure. In adhering to these requirements, some of the officials implicated in irregular expenditure cases had been suspended and disciplinary hearings are in progress.
END.