Medics cautioned on accountability

KARONGI – Hospital directors and heads of health centres in Karongi district have been urged to closely monitor and ensure accountability at their places of work in order to avoid mismanagement of public funds. The remarks were made by the district’s director of finance, Déo Bitegetsimana, at the end of a 4-day sensitisation workshop yesterday. The participants were also urged to frequently carry out internal audits and practice the culture of protecting financial records for future reference in auditing books of accounts. During the workshop which was also attended by their respective accounting officers, the medics were also reminded of the importance of strictly abiding byprocurement laws as a way of avoiding mistakes in the future. Talking to The New Times after the workshop, Déo Bitegetsimana, explained that the workshop was part of an ongoing exercise aimed at sensitizing all public servants on accountability and proper management of public funds. “Various groups of public servants have previously undergone similar training in a bid to improve the district’s general economic performance,” Bitegetsimanasaid. He promised the district’s full commitment in equipping both government and non-government institutions with the knowledge and skills required to achieve economic development. Etienne Niyomugabo, the administrative officer of Mugonero Hospital, who was one of the participants, stressed the importance of sensitisation workshops to staff. “Most of us are now fully aware of the importance of adhering to set financial regulations within our institutions and this is can be attributed to training courses such as these,” he said. Ends