Review by Audit clears Health bosses
When three doctors at Rarotonga Hospital, related to Health bosses, received salary increases, someone cried foul.
The Audit Office responded to a complaint by a member of the public with a review of the salary increases.
It had been alleged that Secretary of Health Tupou Faireka and the Hospital Clinical Director Dr Aung had conspired together to increase the salaries of Faireka’s son, Dr Tearki Faireka and Dr Aung’s wife, Dr May Aung and his niece Dr Maung.
The review undertaken by the Audit Office found that although the performance appraisals undertaken in January 2010 were not in accordance with Health Ministry’s Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual, the appraisals were fair and unbiased.
The review report noted that while the actions of Mr Faireka and Dr Aung may appear or perceive to have a potential conflict of interest there was no evidence to suggest that both individuals used their positions to influence the situation or that they conspired together to increase the salaries of the three doctors who were also family members.
The Audit Office report on the review was tabled in parliament by Minister Hon Mark Brown on Wednesday.
As a result of this case, the Ministry addressed some of the issues identified.
A conflict of interest policy was incorporated into their Manual and changes were made to the existing policy to ensure the Secretary of Health can no longer approve salary increases for staff who are also family members.
The Audit Office also identified that the Public Service Commissioner needed to provide guidelines on conflicts of interest. It said the PSC should clearly define what constitutes a conflict of interest in the context of the local public service and provide guidance on how potential conflicts of interest could be managed.
It was noted that in a small country conflicts of interest are likely to exist. If a conflict could not be avoided, it must at least be managed and disclosed in a planned and acceptable manner.
In his written response of 22 August 2011 to the Audit Office regarding the review, Secretary of Health Faireka pointed out that the salary increases had been referred to and approved by the PSC who also has responsibilities to ensure that are no conflicts of interest. Faireka expressed his concern at duplication of legislative responsibilities and proper use of public revenues. -Charles Pitt

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