SSIC probes
alleged Tafuna Health Clinic loan scheme
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
An alleged loan
scheme operating at the Tafuna Health Clinic using fees collected
from patients is the target of the latest probe by the Senate
Select Investigative Committee.
Reportedly, fees
collected from patients are being used as a fund source for employees
at the clinic to make loans and pay back later. How long the
loan scheme had been in place is unclear.
Health clinics
in the territory are under the Department of Health's jurisdiction.
SSIC chairman
Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson has written to Treasurer Gaea Pelefoti
Failautusi seeking financial information and other documents
as part of the committee's probe into this loan scheme.
"As leaders
of our territory, we are duty bound to take action to rectify
the situation and ease any public concern of this matter,"
Alo wrote in a letter dated May 6. "This would require that
we review such matters promptly and take appropriate action as
sanctioned under law."
"We are
hopeful that you are in agreement with us over this matter and
will cooperate with us to ensure that this matter will be clarified
and corrective measures, if necessary, are taken to effectively
mitigate the situation," he added.
To assist with
its probe, SSIC is requesting copies of deposit slips for funds
deposited by the Tafuna Health Clinic from 2005 to the present
time; copies of the Treasury manual containing policies and procedures
pertaining to collection and receiving; and of policies pertaining
to issuance of blank/unused receipt books to government agencies
and departments.
Alo is also asking
Gaea for any additional information relevant to this matter.
Alo told Samoa
News that this is just one of the areas being covered by SSIC
in its probe of the alleged loan scheme, to see if its actually
operating and when it may have started.
Reach the
reporter at fili@samoanews.com.
© Osini Faleatasi
Inc. dba Samoa News reserves all rights.
|