Berlin/London, 1 February 2006 --- Corruption in the health services industry comes with a high price tag, one that goes beyond the billions of dollars lost to theft, bribery and extortion. Unethical and fraudulent behaviour in the health sector compromises the fundamental human right to essential medical care, leads to dangerous and life-threatening treatments being administered, and helps trigger drug-resistant strains of deadly diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Corruption makes health initiatives, health policy and international aid less effective in achieving their goals, undermining international efforts to combat deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

Corruption affects all health systems. Whether in the industrialised or developing world, whether via embezzlement from health budgets or bribes extorted at the point of health service delivery, the effect is enormous and the burden falls disproportionately on the world’s poor. But although the huge flow of health care funds provide a prime target for abuse, corruption is not inevitable. Alongside expert articles and analysis, Transparency International provides recommendations on eradicating corruption specific to the unique characteristics of the health sector.