Innovative Biometric Payment Technology for Ebola Response Workers Launched

Thursday, January 29, 2015

The Government of Sierra Leone through the National Ebola Response Centre (NERC) has this week launched a national exercise to implement the revised Hazard Policy aimed at re-classifying Ebola Response Workers (ERWs) based on real risks and further ensuring fiduciary sustainability and compliance.

The exercise which will run for a month (until l February 26) is implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“Our assistance has established electronic payment as a reliable payment method, with an innovative payroll system supporting timely payments to all ERWs,” said UNDP Sierra Leone’s Country Director, Sudipto Mukerjee. The NERC Payroll System, funded by UNDP, is now working with all pay partners to verify all hazard pay recipients to ensure that there is no duplication of payments among all partner agencies involved in funding hazard payments.”

Mr. Mukerjee added “This is an important step towards building resilient and transparent Government to People Payment Programs in the country.”

This national exercise, in which the Anti- Corruption Commission is participating to enhance transparency, will allow Government of Sierra Leone and its partners to detect ghost workers and those receiving Hazard Pay from more than one source.

Mr. Steven Gaojia, Chief Operating Officer at NERC said, “We are taking responsive steps to ensure fiduciary compliance and transparency of all hazard cash-transfer programmes in Sierra Leone”.

Source: UNDP in Sierra Leone (link opens in a new window)

Categories
Health Care