By Binta Jaiteh
Auditors from the National Audit Office (NAO) have disclosed that the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) procured a secondhand ultrasound scanning machine for D190,000.
According to the auditors, the machine was procured from SRF Logistics and H. Care Global. However, discussions with a doctor at the dialysis unit revealed that the machine has been non-functional since the day it was delivered.
This revelation was made during the Finance and Public Accounts Committee’s (FPAC) hearing on the NAO’s special audit report on EFSTH, covering the management period from 2021 to 2024.
“The implication of procuring faulty secondhand equipment results in significant financial losses to the hospital and disrupts hospital operations, leading to delays in patient care,” the NAO reported.
Auditors recommended that the hospital management ensure due diligence is carried out on vendors before procuring any hospital equipment.
In response, EFSTH management stated that action will be taken to address the matter as soon as possible.
The NAO also raised serious concerns about inadequate hygiene and infection control practices within the hospital’s food service area. “We conducted a site inspection of the food service area and observed that EFSTH food preparation areas are exposed to waste,” the report noted.
According to the auditors, such poor hygiene can lead to health risks ranging from foodborne illnesses to other infectious diseases. They urged hospital management to immediately address the issue and implement improved food safety and sanitation practices.
In its response, EFSTH management said the kitchen is currently clean and plans are underway to improve the environment further through ongoing renovations. “We have a highly trained chef who is internationally certified and knowledgeable about food safety regulations,” the hospital assured.
Further, the NAO flagged poor toilet hygiene in the patient laboratory area. “Inspections revealed undesirable conditions, including unsanitary toilets, a lack of sanitary materials, and inadequate disinfectants,” the auditors reported.
They warned that such poor sanitation exposes both staff and patients to an increased risk of infectious and other communicable diseases.
NAO recommended that the hospital implement rigorous cleaning procedures using proper disinfectant materials to reduce health risks to patients and staff alike.
