Governments need to publish detailed health budgets and financial information that’s easy to understand. Then we can track funds and prevent them from being stolen. Health workers need adequate pay and guarantees that salaries will reach them. This makes them less susceptible to bribes or likely to demand them. Governments need to tackle counterfeit drugs at source. This means cooperation between countries, involving customs, suppliers, medical institutions and the police.

At the local level, we all have an important role to play. We must demand accountability from health professionals and administrators. We can scrutinise clinic or hospital budgets. Or make sure we’re aware of official charges for services – so we and others don’t pay more. We must also demand public consultations over health services. These allow us to participate actively in planning and implementation. Open tender systems and clear procurement processes are also needed. By monitoring these, we can help ensure that health facilities give us the best possible care. Go back to the problem