# World health day: challenging healthcare corruption around the world URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/world-health-day-challenging-healthcare-corruption-around-the-world Type: News Published: 2014-04-07 Updated: 2019-11-19 --- 07 April 2014 When it comes to health, corruption can be deadly. Globally, almost [one in five](http://www.transparency.org/gcb2013/in_detail) people have paid a bribe to access medical services. Countless more are put at risk because health funds are squandered or backhanders allow counterfeit drugs into the system undetected. But people are fighting back. Last week we reported on how our chapter in Honduras had [blown the lid on a national health scandal](http://www.transparency.org/news/feature/exposing_health_sector_corruption_saves_lives_in_honduras) endangering the lives of citizens. Today, to mark **World Health Day on 7 April,** we’re sharing more stories from around the world. It was like no other day at this maternal health centre in India. Hundreds of people were gathered in front of one woman, who stood with a microphone. The woman was in charge of this health centre, and she had been accused of corruption after refusing to bribe. The people had come to prove her innocence. [Read more](/news/story/power_of_the_crowd) When an anti-nausea drug turned up on a list of cancer treatments, alarm bells starting ringing for our team in Kosovo, who keep watch over health spending. Investigating further, they found the drug was replacing two cheaper alternatives – despite no known benefits – causing costs to skyrocket from less than €8,000 to €1.2 million (US$10,061 to US$1.5 million). So they blew the story open. [Read more](/news/story/drug_deal) On a hot day in Casablanca, Morocco, one man and his daughter raced across the city to the hospital. The 11-year-old, who is almost entirely blind, needed an urgent brain scan for a head injury. But when they arrived, the nurse said he was too busy. Finding the time would cost 500 dirhams (about US$60) on top of standard fees – a third of the man’s total monthly income overnight. It’s a dilemma that faces too many parents around the world. But this man had back-up. [Read more](/news/story/emergency_help) Amid high levels of maternal mortality, the government of Nepal created a new incentive programme offering small cash allowances to women who gave birth in hospital. Yet in one district local officials failed to promote it among their constituents. Instead, they created lists of fake mothers, and pocketed the money themselves. They might have got away with it, were it not for one person who spoke out. [Read more](/news/story/birth_rights) ### Resources - [Global Corruption Report: Corruption and Health](/research/gcr/gcr_health) ## Countries - [India](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/india) - [Kosovo](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/kosovo) - [Morocco](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/morocco) - [Nepal](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/nepal) For any press inquiries please contact ### You might also like... ## [Who really owns it? The push for transparency to reveal stolen wealth in the Middle East and North Africa](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/who-really-owns-it) News • 13 November 2025 Progress on beneficial ownership transparency is gaining momentum across the region, but an analysis of eight countries shows that loopholes still allow dirty money to flow… ## [Who pays for politics? Tracing the money trail online](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/who-pays-for-politics) News • 06 November 2025 From Mongolia’s drive for transparency to looming risks in Peru and Bolivia, new findings show why open digital disclosure of political finance is vital for democracy. ## [World Whistleblower Day: The cost of exposing facts in the age of misinformation](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/world-whistleblower-day-cost-of-exposing-facts-age-of-misinformation) News • 16 June 2025 On World Whistleblower Day, we spotlight brave truth-tellers exposing disinformation and the rising threats they face for speaking out. ## [Dirty money still has an address: Unveiling the Opacity in Real Estate Ownership Index](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/unveiling-opacity-in-real-estate-ownership-index) News • 26 March 2025 Transparency International and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective have ranked 24 jurisdictions on their ability to protect property markets from illicit funds.