Ridge hospital suspends two employees for “selling PPE”

The Greater Accra Regional Hospital has suspended two of its staff for allegedly engaging in “administrative malpractices”.

The officers, according to the Ridge Hospital were captured by BBC investigative team “Africa Eye” for selling Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) belonging to a private individual within the hospital premises.

The hospital, in a statement said, “even though the items do not belong to the hospital and do not also constitute the hospital’s COVID-19 stock either donated or procured, the activities of the two constitute a breach of the Ghana Health Service code of conduct.”

The suspended officers are; Thomas Osei, Medicine Counter Assistant and Divine Kumordzi of the Sewing Unit of the hospital.

“Thomas Osei is serving a two-week suspension without salary “for the inappropriate and unauthorized sale of PPE on the hospital premises.

“Divine Kumordzi will refund all monies realized with regards to the unauthorized and inappropriate sale of face masks on the hospital premises.

“He is also serving a two-week suspension without salary,” the hospital directed.

Meanwhile, the hospital wants to assure its stakeholders that all donations and items procured are all intact.

It has, therefore, warned staff who intend to engage in such irregularities to desist from such practice.

Below is the statement from the hospital

RIDGE HOSPITAL SUSPENDS TWO STAFF FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MALPRACTICE

The Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge has suspended two of its staff for engaging in administrative malpractices which has the tendencies of tarnishing the image of the hospital.

These officers were caught by BBC investigative team “Africa Eye” selling Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) belonging to a private individual within the premises of the Hospital.

Even though these items do not belong to the hospital and do not also constitute the hospital’s COVID-19 stock, either donated or procured, their action constitutes a breach of the Ghana Health Service Code of Conduct.

As a hospital, we do not encourage these behaviours since it may adversely affect their output and also be misconstrued by the public as items of the facility.

The suspended officers are; Thomas Osei, Medicine Counter Assistant and Divine Kumordzi of the Sewing Unit of the Hospital. Thomas Osei is serving a two-week suspension without salary for the inappropriate and unauthorized sale of PPEs on the hospital premises.

Whilst, Mr Divine Kumordzi would refund all monies realized with regards to the unauthorized and inappropriate sale of face masks on the hospital premises. He is also serving a two weeks suspension without salary.

Management stopped the practice immediately it came to its attention and ordered auditing of the stock of PPEs before arriving at its conclusion.

The prescribed sanction is in line with the provisions of the Ghana health service Code of Conducts and Disciplinary Procedures.

We want to use this opportunity to assure our stakeholders that all donations and items procured which are routed through the Hospital’s Main Stores managed by a Senior Supply Manager and Head of Stores and supervised by Head of Administration are all intact.

Management would like to use this medium to send a strong warning to staff who will violate rules and regulations governing the hospital.

Let’s all abide by the rules of engagement for the benefit of the patient and the country as a whole.

Thank you.

SIGNED
BY MANAGEMENT