Coronavirus: The perfect incubator for corruption in our health systems? 7 key COVID-19 points to consider.
During disease outbreaks, we see health systems struggle as they handle the increased pressure on resources. In recent days many have flagged how this brings to light weak points within a health system, such as workforce shortages and poor access to medicines. Corruption is another of these weak points.
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With the conclusion of 72nd World Health Assembly, there was support for transparency in medicines research and development. Part of this was around a “transparency clause” meaning that companies would have to disclose the actual costs of researching and manufacturing of medicines. We look at how they could go further.
Read »Every day, all around the world, people suffer and die due to corruption in the healthcare sector. It disproportionally affects vulnerable groups, who do not have the knowledge, money or connections to access the care or products they need.
While corruption can occur in every area of a health system, corruption from the highest levels will trickle down to effect healthcare received by patients at local health care facilities.
There are several broad effects of corruption in healthcare. Distorted policy, legislative and clinical priorities; a loss of money from health systems; denied or delayed access to health care services and treatment; and a loss of trust in national health facilities, personnel and to a wider extent national governance as a whole.
However, the specific cost of corruption is almost impossible to measure. Like other forms of white-collar crime corruption is inherently hidden from sight and even when some forms of corruption are discovered it is hard to quantify their impact.
In order to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3 that aims to ensure healthy lives and promote the wellbeing of all people of all ages, all groups in healthcare must collectively tackle corruption.
Our aim
To achieve genuine change in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector through reducing corruption and promoting transparency, integrity and accountability
We fight health corruption across three areas:
Transparency in Medical Research
Ensures medical decisions are made in patients’ best interest
Open Healthcare Procurement
Prevents the corruption of health system resources
Anti-corruption in Service Delivery
Ensures that patients receive the care they need