SICTU supports directive by minister to terminated staff implicated in misuse of drugs

Solomon Islands Council of Trade Union President Mr Tony Kagovai supports the directive by the Minister of Health and Medical Services to terminate officers found to have removed medicines from Provincial Health Facilities

Employees of the Provinces are either seconded officers or direct employees and they are members of our Unions, SITCU said in a statement tonight.

Even though SICTU have ZERO TOLERANCE to corruption and malpractice at workplace, the Trade Union umbrella body whose affiliates are Solomon Islands Medical Association, Solomon Islands Nurses Association and Solomon Islands Allied Health Association, caution the Minister to take all measures to ensure that those accused have access to natural justice.

The SICTU President welcomes the assurance by the Minister of steps taken to address the chronic shortage of medicine experienced across the country in all health and medical facilities including the National Referral Hospital.

It was revealed that some of the reasons that contribute to the shortage of medicine and general drugs are:

1. Unpaid bills from suppliers amounting to several millions

2. The continues cut on medicine budget annually by MOH and SIG

3. Poor Procurement management process, ( MOH & NMS)

4. Poor Medicine Management Policy.

5. Lack or Poor coordination of Supply chain of medicine from National to Provincial level.

6. The poor shipping services in our country that delays medicine supplies to health facilities

SICTU calls on the Ministry of Health and the Government to resolve these issues.

• Press Release