Oyam health workers pledge zero tolerance for corruption and negligence

31 July 2026, 12:31 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Health leaders and workers in Oyam District have resolved to uphold integrity and accountability in service delivery, pledging zero tolerance for corruption and negligence.

The commitment was made yesterday during the Health Sector Sub-Programme Annual Performance Review Meeting for the 2025/2026 Financial Year, held at Jareem Hotel in Oyam Town Council. The meeting brought together district leaders, health officials, and stakeholders to assess progress in health service delivery.

Addressing participants, LC V Chairperson Hon. Nelson Adea Akar, commonly known as Mogo-Amoga, emphasised the need to strengthen health service delivery across all units. He urged health workers to honour their commitment to rejecting corruption, avoiding negligence of duty, and improving time management by reducing absenteeism.

Adea stressed that medicines must be provided to local residents without diversion, warning that any misuse of drugs constitutes corruption. He assured the public that district leadership will closely monitor these commitments to ensure improved health services for residents.

Chief Administrative Officer Felix Alex Majembe commended the health sector for organising the review meeting. He cautioned health workers against negligence, particularly late reporting for duty and absenteeism, noting that some civil servants wrongly treat Mondays and Fridays as unofficial holidays.

Majembe pledged to work closely with the health department to enforce discipline and integrity, declaring that 2026 must be a year free from corruption practices.

District Health Officer Dr Mailing Thomas, in his remarks, called upon heads of health facilities in Oyam District to improve maintenance and address challenges affecting the sector. He highlighted maternal deaths, low outpatient utilisation, high malaria positivity and mortality rates, and gaps in immunisation coverage as urgent issues requiring attention.

Health workers at the meeting also raised concerns about maternity services, noting that retired midwives continue working without adequate motivation, which undermines morale. They called for better support to ensure quality service delivery. Other challenges highlighted included inadequate staffing at Health Centre IIIs and poor road access to some health facilities.

In his closing remarks, the Resident District Commissioner appreciated the efforts of health workers in improving operations at health centres. He acknowledged challenges such as water shortages and poor road access, urging that these issues be prioritised for resolution.

The meeting underscored the district’s collective resolve to strengthen healthcare delivery, enforce discipline, and eliminate corruption and negligence in service provision.