Corruption in Health Sector Runs Deep, Says FG

• The federal government has acknowledged that corruption in Nigeria’s health sector is a significant issue, and it is making ongoing efforts to combat it
• Coordinating Minister of Health Prof. Muhammad Pate highlighted the alarming diversion of grants and resources for vulnerable groups like children and women

The federal government has acknowledged that corruption in Nigeria’s health sector is a significant issue and is making ongoing efforts to combat it.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, highlighted the alarming diversion of grants and resources for vulnerable groups such as children and women. He called on anti-graft agencies to intervene.

Speaking at a conference organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja, themed “Corruption-free Health Care Delivery for All,” Pate disclosed a recent case where therapeutic food donated for malnourished children was diverted, prompting him to involve the police.

“Corruption in Nigeria is long-standing and widespread. Recently, I dealt with a case where donated therapeutic food for severely malnourished children was diverted. Grants and resources were raised and brought to Abuja, but they were filtered away. This highlights the depth of the issue,” Pate said.

He emphasized the systemic nature of corruption, noting that it permeates various sectors, including health. The goal, he said, is to improve health outcomes for all Nigerians, reduce pain, and provide equitable health services.

The ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, expressed the commission’s commitment to tackling corruption in the health sector. He stressed that those found guilty of corrupt practices would face severe consequences.

“The conference aims to stimulate discussions to improve service delivery and eliminate corruption in the health sector. This is crucial given the sector’s importance in ensuring a healthy society. Our pilot project in the FCT aims to create a template for replication across all six geopolitical zones,” Aliyu stated.

Adedolapo Fasawe, FCTA Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, compared corruption in the health sector to a pandemic, emphasizing its devastating impact.

“The cost of financial corruption in health is priceless. It leads to the procurement of substandard equipment, fake drugs, revenue leakages, and inflated health bills. Corruption in health must be prevented or stopped early, as it is worse than a pandemic,” Fasawe said.