Question NW194 to the Minister of Health
01 March 2024 - NW194
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
(a) How will his department handle the failure to disclose/declare financial interests by healthcare workers in the 202324 financial year, (b) what are some of the reasons there is failure to comply with the processes of disclosure and (c) how does his department plan to empower healthcare workers with sufficient knowledge on disclosures, including why they are important and the technical aspect of making submissions easier?
Reply:
a) The disclosure/ declaration of financial interests by employees in the public service is regulated by Regulation 18 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016, which requires designated employees to submit particulars of their financial interests to their respective heads of departments and non-compliance in this regard is handled in line with the provisions of Section 16A of the Public Service Act, which require the head of the department to take appropriate disciplinary steps against an employee who does not comply with a provision of a regulation.
b) Some of the reasons for failure to comply with the disclosure processes include forgetting the personal log-in details (usernames and passwords). In some instances, it is with regard to properties that employees acquired a long time ago and are no longer in possession of, but those properties are still registered in their names. As a result, they are of the view that they are not required to disclose such properties, while that is not the case.
c) Ethics Officers inform designated officials that are required to disclose their financial interests timeously before the period of disclosure starts and they are constantly reminded about the process of disclosing their financial interests. There are also dedicated officials who are responsible for providing assistance and technical support to all officials who are experiencing challenges in accessing the e-disclosure system.
END.