Governance and Corrupt Practices in Healthcare Systems in Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ilorin Journal of Administration and Development. Facultyof Management Unilorin
Abstract
Governance in health systems is the stewardship activities of leaders in tlie provision of ٠ healthcare delivery. Due to information asymmetry, lack oftransparency and accountability, health systems are susceptible to conupt practices among the actors. This article examined differenttypes of effect of governance on corrupt practices in the health sector, specifically to determine the type of governance domains, corrupt practices, the challenges and effects on health care delivety systems. The study adopted interviews, archival search, participant observation and explorative method for collection of data. The analysis was descriptive. Findings showed that medical and non-medical staff can charge unofficial fees to attend to patients. They may demand bribes for medication which should be free and sometimes assist patients whom they have collected bribe from to jump the queue and break the rules just to get attended to before others. Unfortunately, cortuption was considered as a social norm associated with the mutual definition of situations in which bribes are deemed appropriate by both health workers and the general public despite the recognised negative impacts. Not only that the patients, their relatives, and the general population suffered from tire corrupt system. Flnfortunately, many promote corrupt practices fortheir gain.
Financial regulation and management in the health sector by the governments need to be made public by publishing detailed health budgets and financial information for proper tracking of funds to enharrce transparency. This would, in turn, promote trust, motivate as well as bring about attitudinal clrange that would discourage corruption among health care providers. There is also the need for change in government policies regarding provisions ofsupplies, ttaining of medical personnel, cooperation between health care sector and other agencies, such as the law enforcement agencies, to be ableto curb the menace ofcortuption in the healthcare system. Keywords: Governance;Conrrption;Healthcare;HealthWorkersjNigeria
Description
Keywords
Governance, Corrupt Practices, Healthcare Systems, Nigeria
Citation
3(1):112-122