We Need to Measure and Address Corruption and Poor Governance in Health Systems Comment on "We Need to Talk About Corruption in Health Systems".

Maureen Lewis

doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2019.44

Abstract

Hutchinson et al offer a compelling argument for greater attention to and work in corruption in healthcare. We indeed need to talk about corruption, to understand and to grasp how to prevent and address it. This paper lays out some of the rationale for how to define the research questions, how best to address corruption – arguing that governance rather than corruption may offer a preferred starting point, and highlighting some options for measuring, analyzing and stemming corruption.

Highlights

Hutchinson et al[1] focus on the unique and blatant corruption experiences in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
On a World Bank study tour to England and France in the late 1990s, the team queried hospitals and clinics whether staff came to work, given that they were largely assured lifetime employment
Publicly-provided healthcare is largely hierarchical with often centralized decision-making, which means managers of hospitals and clinics lack the authority to manage effectively or to intervene when confronted with illegal, unethical or undesirable behaviors

Summary

Introduction

Hutchinson et al[1] focus on the unique and blatant corruption experiences in LMICs. LMICs face difficulties in managing corruption due to the structure of government, and the general lack of accountability in the public sector. Publicly-provided healthcare is largely hierarchical with often centralized decision-making, which means managers of hospitals and clinics lack the authority to manage effectively or to intervene when confronted with illegal, unethical or undesirable behaviors.

Results

Conclusion