EcoMed in Hot Waters
By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Health Chaired by Hon. Wuyata Songa has on Wednesday 19th February, 2025, interrogated EcoMed Hospital after failing to provide vital documents related to a recent inquiry.
The committee had requested specific documentation from the administration of EcoMed Hospital following instructions issued in a letter sent on February 7, 2025.
Despite receiving the letter ten days later, the required documents were not ready for review, which led to tension between the committee and the representatives from EcoMed Hospital in question.
The Chairperson Hon. Songa frustrated by the delay, pointed out that the requested documents should have been prepared well in advance.
EcoMed representative admitted to having received the letter and acknowledged that the documents were still being compiled. However, this response did not go down well with the committee, especially considering that the requested documents should have been submitted within 72 hours, as stipulated by Parliamentary protocol.
In a stern reprimand, the committee’s chairperson made it clear that such delays were not acceptable and emphasized the importance of complying with Parliamentary instructions.
“This is contempt of Parliament,” the chairperson said, signaling that EcoMed’s failure to provide the required documents could have serious consequences, including a temporary closure.
The representative attempted to explain that the documents were still being prepared, but the committee had no patience to listen to the excuse, stating that this was not the first instance of non-compliance. “We gave you ten days,” the chairperson recalled, “and you have failed to provide the documentation as requested.”
The committee warned that, if the documents were not submitted promptly, they would take further action, including writing to the Ministry of Health to demand compliance. The matter remains unresolved, and the committee’s next steps will depend on whether the unpresented documentation is provided in the next one week.
The incident highlights the critical role that Parliamentary Committees play in ensuring transparency and accountability, as well as the severe consequences that can arise from failing to comply with their directives.
