Health Services Plagued By Corruption

There is rampant corruption in the health services sector in India, which also includes the country's hospitals, according to Transparency International's 2006 Global Corruption Report. The Government hospitals alone account for a total of Rs 20.17 billion annually by way of corruption. This does not include unnecessary diagnostic tests, non-availability of medicines, over-prescription, and counterfeit drugs.

The NGO has called for greater transparency where hospital services are concerned, and more stern action in the case of erring institutions. A policy of protection for whistleblowers is also necessary, as this will contribute towards lessening human suffering. It will also contribute towards curtailing the spread of deadly diseases which have become drug resistant.