Corruption is making people sick

Abstract

According to Transparency International, of the US$7.5 trillion spent globally on health each year, US$500 billion is lost to corruption.1 This article deals with the topic of corruption in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on how it affects persons living with HIV and their families. It begins with a definition of corruption and outlines the types of activities, people and institutions that fall within that definition in the context of HIV/AIDS. Examples are provided of what happens in practice and the types of persons (in terms of their societal roles) who yield to corruption, and how and why they commit it. The effects of corruption in health and in the fight against HIV/AIDS are then considered, drawing on published research on the costs to institutions and society. For example, HIV prevalence among women is higher than men, yet their reliance on health services plagued by corruption makes them vulnerable to abuse, blocking access to vital contraceptive, HIV testing, and reproductive and child health services. Attention is then focused on the factors that encourage the adoption of corrupt practices and what approaches have been taken to try to counter them. This includes a review and analysis of the steps that have been taken to strengthen compliance, governance and accountability and why attempts to deal with corruption have met with little success. This article suggests a new approach — harnessing digitalisation — to combat corruption more quickly and effectively, pointing out that corruption is both a major factor contributing to inefficiency and is harming peoples’ health. This article aims to raise interest and renew efforts in fighting corruption in health.