Charting a Course to SDG 3: Exploring the Effect of Corruption on Universal Health Coverage

Charting a Course to SDG 3: Exploring the Effect of Corruption on Universal Health Coverage

Copyright: © 2024 |Pages: 22
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-2101-0.ch006
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Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the perceived level of corruption on universal health coverage in developing countries over the period 2005-2022. Considering the effects of government health expenditure and population growth, the study utilizes the robust least squares technique in data analysis. The empirical evidence suggests that a high perceived level of corruption significantly impedes universal health coverage. Furthermore, it is established that population growth decreases health coverage, while the impact of government health expenditure on health coverage is insignificant. These findings underscore the need for targeted anti-corruption measures, increased funding for the health sector, and comprehensive family planning strategies to achieve better health coverage outcomes.
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Introduction

Corruption within healthcare systems is a global concern with profound repercussions for both the quality of healthcare services and overall health outcomes (García P. J., 2019). Corruption within healthcare systems undermines the establishment of an equitable, inclusive, and pro-poor health system that is imperative for reaching the UHC target by the year 2030 (Debie, Khatri, & Assefa, 2022). Similar to numerous ambitious worldwide objectives, the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) continues to be an ideal goal for many countries (Sturchio, Kickbusch, Galambos, & Ghebreyesus, 2019). According to the World Health Organization, approximately half of the global population faces difficulties in obtaining fundamental healthcare services (WHO, 2023). Furthermore, this already substantial figure conceals disparities that persist both among and within countries, including disparities between affluent and less privileged people, genders, age groups, and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds. In emerging economies, corruption presents a significant impediment to the realization of universal health coverage (UHC) (Kodali, 2023). Corruption has a considerable impact on the integrity and functioning of healthcare systems. Research has shown that part of the reason that hinders many governments’ concerted efforts towards fulfilling the ambitious objective of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is the detrimental effects of corruption on healthcare systems.

Hence, an investigation into how corruption undermines the health systems of developing countries and how the menace obstructs the achievement of universal health coverage is significant (Mackey, Vian, & Kohler, 2018), Findings from previous studies reveal the negative impacts of corruption including how it hinders the attainment of human rights (UNHRC, 2013), widens the inequality gap (International, 2022), leads to mistrust in public departments (Mauro, Medas, & Fournier, 2019), According to the United Nations, corruption is believed to incur a financial toll equivalent to around 5% of the worldwide Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (UNSC, 2021).

In recent years, experts and scholars have focused increasingly on the intricate connections between healthcare and corruption in poor countries. An increasing number of previous empirical research studies revealed the damaging consequences of corruption on resource allocation, healthcare service delivery, and the overall effectiveness of health systems (Nadpara, and Samanta, 2015; Naher et al., 2020; Onwujekwe et al., 2019; Rispel et al., 2016). Unethical practices such as bribery, nepotism, and embezzlement deplete vital resources allocated to healthcare while making it more challenging for governments to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare (Harahap & Isgiyarta, 2023). Further studies have shown the informal payments towards certain specific healthcare services as a result of its significance. Notably among which include maternal healthcare, emergency services, Malaria and HIV treatments. Investigation into the above menace was however prevalent among East, West, Central and Southern African countries (Kabia, et al., 2021). Interviews conducted aimed at uncovering the motives of informal payments revealed gratitude expression, considered a tradition among many patients in Angola, Tanzania and Nigeria.

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