Bribery damaging Ukrainian healthcare system

The Kiev-based Anticorruption Action Center has called for tough measures against widespread graft in the Ukrainian healthcare system, according to the FCPA blog April 17.

“Though the Ukrainian Constitution guarantees a right to free healthcare for its citizens, a huge amount of money is being stolen from the state budget without reaching hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and medical research centers,” according to the Anticorruption Center.

The total size of the grey market in Ukrainian healthcare is estimated at USD 6 billion a year, according to the Russian Internet TV-channel Shelkino.tv publication from February 2014.

“Ukraine has the highest HIV/AIDS and hepatitis levels in Europe, and 30 percent of Ukrainians die before their 60s,” the Anticorruption Center wrote.

The center has begun monitoring state tenders to prevent corruption at the state level, as well as putting pressure on law-enforcement agencies and banks to act against wrongdoing.

Rampant corruption was one of the loudest concerns voiced among protesters at the Kiev barricades.