Whatever is going on at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) requires the quick intervention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the relevant Parliamentary Committee.
It now appears that things are moving from bad to worse and that the whole matter is taking on the tone of the divisions that have dogged the two partners in the Grand Coalition Government.
When the caretaker board was appointed to run NHIF, it was meant to restore sanity to ensure this national institution, funded by voluntary and involuntary contributions from taxpayers, can continue to operate and deliver services effectively. Unfortunately, it appears the puppet masters are at work again and the caretaker team is behaving no better than its predecessor.
If indeed its term is extended, this should not stop the EACC and Parliament form demanding an audit of actions of its members regarding recruitment of personnel, tenders for advertising and payments to the health care providers who, incidentally, were picked through single-sourcing in contravention of State procurement guidelines.
State officials, even those hired on rolling contracts, should operate above board.
Too much lip service is being paid to integrity in Government and this must end.
