Abstract
Reluctance to talk about corruption is an important barrier to action. Yet the stakes of not addressing corruption in the health sector are higher than ever. Corruption includes wrongdoing by individuals, but it is also a problem of weak institutions captured by political interests, and underfunded, unreliable administrative systems and healthcare delivery models. We urgently need to focus on corruption as a health systems problem. In addition to supporting research to better understand the context and implications of corruption in health systems, this article suggests actions that public health professionals can do now to fight corruption.
Highlights
Reluctance to talk about corruption is not new
Critics have suggested that anti-corruption dialogue is motivated by a neoliberal agenda to promote certain forms of social, political, and economic organization, not allowing for truly country-led development.[2,3]
Excuses are plentiful: “corruption has existed forever,” “corruption greases the wheels of development.”[5]. Debunking excuses is tiresome, yet the stakes of not addressing health sector corruption are higher than ever
Summary
Reluctance to talk about corruption is not new. Hutchinson et al identify five reasons why health policy-makers evade this pervasive problem.[1]. Critics have suggested that anti-corruption dialogue is motivated by a neoliberal agenda to promote certain forms of social, political, and economic organization, not allowing for truly country-led development.[2,3] our reticence reflects our chagrin at having very few evidence-based practices we can point to as solutions. Anti-corruption strategies need to be informed by evidence, experience, and context.
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