Question NW973 to the Minister of Health
24 March 2025 - NW973
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1) Whether his department initiated and/or supported any investigations into the alleged fraud and corruption within the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) specifically regarding pension fund mismanagement where pension monies deducted from employees were not paid over to the Government Employees Pension Fund; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the findings so far, and (b) how will employees be compensated if wrongdoing is proven; (2) what (a) steps are being taken to investigate allegations that employees were threatened and bullied during the transfer of staff from the NHLS to the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories and (b) plans are in place to engage with the employees and their legal representatives to address their grievances?
Reply:
- (a)-(b) The Department takes reports of fraud and corruption seriously and initiates investigations whenever such allegations arise. In the case of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), the NDOH has not received any report or complaint concerning pension fund mismanagement.
- (a) The Department takes allegations of bullying and threats seriously and will investigate where reports or complaints are received in this regard. No complaints have been brought to the attention of the Department regarding allegations of bullying and threats. The NHLS advises they have also not received such complaints.
(b) NHLS is a 3A public entity and has established structures to address employee grievances. Should any employee have a grievance, these would be addressed in accordance with the NHLS policy on the management of grievances.
END.