By: Fatou Krubally
Parliament’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has given the management of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) 45 days to recover public funds and implement corrective measures following findings of financial and administrative irregularities uncovered in audit reports covering 2021 to April 2024.
The directive is contained in the Committee’s review of the Auditor General’s management letter and related financial reports, which identified weaknesses in financial management, procurement practices, recruitment procedures and internal controls at the country’s main referral hospital.
FPAC ordered the immediate cessation of call allowance payments to staff not approved under existing policy and directed the recovery of all irregular payments within 45 days of the tabling of its report.
The Committee also recommended disciplinary action and reforms to recruitment procedures after auditors found lapses in the verification of academic qualifications and professional background checks for some senior appointments.
On alleged financial misconduct, FPAC called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate suspected diversion of public funds involving supplier payments and transfers reportedly linked to personal accounts of senior hospital officials. It further recommended the recovery of funds associated with undocumented cash advances and payments not supported by evidence of work performed.
The Committee also raised concerns over suspected ghost workers on the hospital payroll, noting that salaries had reportedly been paid to individuals who could not be physically traced. It directed management to recover the funds involved and provide supporting evidence within the stipulated period.
FPAC further identified procurement deficiencies, including missing stock records, non-functional medical equipment acquired through public procurement processes, and the absence of a fixed asset register. It urged the hospital to strengthen internal controls, improve staff attendance monitoring and ensure proper record-keeping.
The report also highlighted tax compliance concerns, indicating that more than D17 million in withholding taxes had not been deducted from payments made to suppliers. FPAC recommended that the Gambia Revenue Authority investigate the matter and recover any outstanding amounts.
In addition, the Committee called for improvements in hygiene, sanitation and infrastructure at the hospital, as well as a review of its tariff structure, which has remained unchanged since 2014.
FPAC said the implementation of its recommendations is necessary to strengthen accountability, improve oversight and safeguard public resources. It warned that failure to comply with the directives could expose the institution to continued financial risk and undermine service delivery.
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