PCCB, NPS recover 616.1m/- in Singida health projects

SINGIDA: THE Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Singida Region, in collaboration with the National Prosecution Service (NPS), has facilitated the recovery of funds and equipment worth 616.1m/- from suppliers and contractors involved in the construction of three hospital buildings in Singida Region.

PCCB Singida Regional Bureau Chief, Mr Sosteness Kibwengo, revealed this in Singida recently when the anti-graft body donated medical devices to Singida Regional Referral Hospital in a bid to support the government’s efforts to strengthen maternal and child health and improve the well-being of Tanzanians.

Mr Kibwengo said the suppliers and contractors had been paid but had spent more than four years without delivering construction materials for the projects.

According to him, the collaboration between the two institutions has focused on analysing operational systems and monitoring the implementation of development projects being undertaken in the health sector in the region.

“We have enjoyed good cooperation in ensuring that the recommendations we make are implemented on time, with the aim of strengthening service delivery systems and ensuring that the projects concerned provide value for money,” the Singida PCCB Regional Bureau Chief said.

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Regarding the handover of the medical devices to the hospital, Mr Kibwengo expressed optimism that the event would continue to strengthen cooperation and trust between the two offices and, more importantly, contribute to improving services and saving the lives of Tanzanians born prematurely.

“I sincerely thank everyone who supported us and participated in this event. May God in Heaven bless you all,” Mr Kibwengo said.

Handing over an infant radiant warmer and a phototherapy unit to Singida Regional Referral Hospital, the anti-corruption watchdog’s Deputy Director General, Ms Neema Mwakalyelye, said the hospital had become the 24th health facility to benefit from the PCCB initiative.

“All this is to support the efforts of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose government has heavily invested in the health sector to strengthen maternal and child health and improve the well-being of Tanzanians,” Ms Mwakalyelye said.

The Deputy Director General added that after reaching out to Singida Regional Referral Hospital, the PCCB would have only four more health facilities to reach, bringing the total number of beneficiary hospitals to 28 across the country.

She said the PCCB decided to donate an infant radiant warmer, which is used to maintain the body temperature of newborns, and a phototherapy unit, which uses specific wavelengths of light, after learning that the devices were highly needed in regional referral hospitals across the country.

Ms Mwakalyelye reminded the public that the PCCB is not a profit-making organisation and that the funds used to purchase the medical devices came from staff contributions, an act she described as demonstrating compassion and love for the community.

“PCCB staff are also among the stakeholders benefiting from these machines, which have recently helped our PCCB officers in Dodoma, Katavi and Dar es Salaam regions,” the Deputy Director General added.