The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Zombo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nasser Kerim, a health worker from Zeu health center III in Zombo district is in trouble for losing Shillings 6.7 million meant for the just concluded vaccination campaign in sports betting. Kerim served as the supervisor for Aka sub-county in Zombo district during the vaccination exercise.
He recieved the money in question to facilitate Village Health Teams (VHTs), local council chairpersons, and other health workers during the campaign. Preliminary reports indicate that the money was disbursed to Kerim’s account on November 19, 2022, to pay about 240 officials who participated in the door-to-door national polio vaccination campaign in Aka sub-county.
He however didnt the pay the officials as expected. Mark Bramali, the Zombo District Health Officer explains that upon interrogation, Kerim revealed that he used part of the money for sports betting in the ongoing world cup but lost the bet.
Grace Atim, the Zombo deputy Resident District Commissioner wonders why the health worker used the money meant to facilitate officials who worked tirelessly during the mass polio vaccination campaign for gambling. She told Uganda Radio Network that they have tasked Kerim to refund the funds immediately.
Between November 4 and 10, 2022, the Ministry of Health implemented a nationwide door-to-door polio vaccination campaign targeting children aged zero to five years old, as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rotary International and other partners.
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He was not wise.
Short cut to more money is dangerous. It’s good to use your own money for such activities but not people’s money. He can go for a loan to pay the intended beneficiaries.
Hi there! I appreciate this post and the facts you have clearly stated.
However, it is genuinely unforgivable that money meant to facilitate officials who worked tirelessly during the mass polio vaccination campaign was not used for its intended purpose.
This demonstrates how corruption and mismanagement can limit access to appropriate healthcare.
Corruption has been an ongoing issue in many parts of Uganda, with government funds often being misused or stolen without consequence.
I believe more accountability measures should be implemented to ensure that public funds are appropriately managed in all aspects of society, especially regarding health services.
Making misuse of funds a criminal offense would be one step towards curbing such abuse and deterring those who may consider indulging in it.
Additionally, greater transparency and oversight should be implemented to ensure that public funds are used as intended.
It is also essential to give credit where credit is due by recognizing and rewarding those who do an excellent job.
This article has highlighted how easy it is for corruption to occur. Still, it has also shed light on the hardworking officials who went above and beyond during the mass polio vaccination campaign.
It would be a shame if their efforts were overlooked or unrecognized.
In conclusion, I agree with this article that proper management of public funds is essential in providing access to quality healthcare services, mainly when these services involve saving lives, such as polio vaccinations.
There need to be more accountability measures put into place and greater recognition of those who do an excellent job.
Thank you for sharing this post!
This is a typical criminal offence which needs to be investigated and penalised