PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR
→ Increased oversight and transparency in the procurement of medicines, medical equipment and medical supplies is crucial to ensure the effective functioning of health care systems.
Vulnerabilities in the health system pre-dating the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in the lack of adequate medical equipment and healthcare services, as well as illegal and informal payments for accessing free healthcare. As a result, increased corruption risks during COVID-19, such as price-gouging and falsification of medical products, are unprecedented.
UNODC and UNDP have long-standing expertise in the prevention of corruption in the health sector by providing technical assistance in public health management, including corruption risk assessments and mitigation strategies with a focus on health supply procurement and distribution, and on service delivery.These efforts are key to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Actions
- Ensure equal access to health services and medical supplies for all through transparent and accountable allocation of resources, to ensure no one is left behind.
- Ensure equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.
- Mitigate corruption risks in the public procurement of medical supplies and equipment by publishing public contracts, using open and competitive bidding, publishing information on companies awarded contracts and empowering anti-monopoly, audit and oversight agencies.
UNODC tools
G20 Good Practices Compendium on Combating Corruption in the Response to COVID-19
UNDP tools
- Guidance Note: Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption in COVID-19 Response and Recovery
(available in English, French and Spanish) - Fighting Corruption in the Health Sector: Methods, Tools and Good Practices (available in English, French and Spanish)