By Haruna Abdulrashid
In a strategic move to strengthen integrity and accountability within the public health sector, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bauchi Zonal Office, has convened a high-level ACTU Peer Review and Roundtable Discussion.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Senior Information and Public Relations Officer of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe (FTH Gombe), Malam Abubakar Abdullahi.
According to the statement, the event was hosted by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of FTH Gombe and brought together chief executives of health institutions, ACTU chairmen, and secretaries from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) across the state.
The event was honoured by the presence of key hospital leaders, including a representative of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Bukar Lakubbe Mailafiya, who is also the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), as well as Dr. Amin Umar Usman, Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC – Clinical Services). Their participation underscored the hospital management’s commitment to embedding ethical conduct within both the clinical and administrative frameworks of the institution.
A major highlight of the gathering was the formal oath-taking ceremony, during which new and returning ACTU members were administered the oath of allegiance and secrecy. The exercise reinforced their mandate to serve as the “eyes and ears” of the ICPC within their respective institutions. The oath serves as both a moral and legal obligation, charging ACTU officers to report irregularities without fear or favour and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality in the discharge of their duties.
The roundtable discussion, held at the Administrative Block Board Room of FTH Gombe, focused on the theme, “Discussion on Best Practices and Review of Current Challenges.” As the primary internal anti-corruption watchdogs within government institutions, ACTUs are mandated to examine systems and procedures for corruption vulnerabilities. The peer review session provided a platform for participants to share successful strategies and identify common challenges in enforcing ethical standards.
Discussions during the session centred on system study and review aimed at identifying and closing loopholes in hospital administration and procurement processes, the exchange of best practices that have improved transparency and service delivery at FTH Gombe and other institutions, and the challenges faced by ACTU members, particularly in the areas of funding and operational independence. The forum also reaffirmed hospital management’s commitment to ethics and compliance, with emphasis on a zero-tolerance policy for professional misconduct.
The Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, has recently been at the forefront of modernization efforts, including the implementation of electronic medical records and the establishment of new molecular diagnostic facilities. By hosting the ICPC-led initiative, the hospital management, under the leadership of Dr. Bukar Lakubbe Mailafiya and Dr. Amin Umar Usman, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that technological advancements are matched with a strong culture of transparency and accountability.
The event concluded with a call for sustained collaboration between the ICPC and heads of institutions to ensure that public resources are utilised solely for the benefit of patients and the continued advancement of healthcare delivery in the North-East.
If you want this shortened for newspaper column limits or localised further for Gombe State audiences, just tell me.
