ACC advised to implement a portal for submitting requests, where applicants can track the processing stage of their forms, in addition to setting a threshold for assistance based on the type of medical treatment and the applicant’s circumstances.
Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has called for stricter regulations governing the National Social Protection Agency's (NSPA) medical assistance processes to prevent potential corruption.
In its "Corruption Risk Assessment of the Health Welfare System" released on Thursday, ACC recommended reforms in the insurance system, including Aasandha and NSPA, to address corruption risks and potential illicit gains.
One of the key issues highlighted is discrimination in how assistance is provided by NSPA.
According to the report, NSPA disburses medical assistance after reviewing documents approved by a special committee appointed by NSPA. However, ACC said that aid is often granted without sufficient time to properly verify the documents, sometimes within minutes of submission or even before all required documents are received.
The report also highlighted that an influential third party is involved in this process, as revealed by focus group interviews, contributing to unequal service delivery and undermining recipients' rights.
Despite existing regulations, political influence has led to the belief that third party intervention, such as through elected or appointed officials, is the only way to expedite services, fostering corruption and enabling such practices, according to ACC.
To address these issues, ACC recommended strengthening the verification process for NSPA applications and formulating a clear guideline for verification.
ACC also advised to implement a portal for submitting requests, where applicants can track the processing stage of their forms, in addition to setting a threshold for assistance based on the type of medical treatment and the applicant’s circumstances.
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