2018 Activities

In a Study Released by AMAN: Corruption Inhibits the Enjoyment of the Right to Health

In a Study Released by AMAN: Corruption Inhibits the Enjoyment of the Right to Health

The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) organised a workshop in which it released a study on the right to health as a model. Titled Bridging Gaps: The Link between Corruption and Human Rights in the Palestinian Context – (The Case of the Right to Health as a Model), the study recommends that a new, comprehensive and just law on health insurance be developed and approved. Accountability procedures should be put into effect by launching effective and serious investigations into complaints against abuses of the right to health. The Public Health Law and other relevant regulations need to be amended and aligned with international human rights conventions, to which the State of Palestine has acceded. These should ensure that citizens have the right to access high quality health services.

In his opening statement, Majdi Abu Zeid, Executive Director of AMAN, stressed that the main objective of the study was to uncover the link and impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights in general, and the right to health in particular. As the first practical initiative in Palestine, the study provides case studies which highlight the link between corruption and human rights.

Draft Safety and Health Law is a step that can be taken forward

Abu Zaid asserted that, on many occasions, AMAN has already highlighted and submitted some conclusions of the study to relevant authorities. First and foremost, a comprehensive and just Health Insurance Law needs to be approved. A Law on Medical Malpractice should also be enacted. The latter has been approved and referred by the Council of Ministers to the President for ratification. AMAN views positively this development and appreciates the government response to the civil society’s long-standing recommendations and demands to approve this law.
Hadeel Qazzaz, researcher and author of the study, provided an overview of key components and main conclusions of the study. In spite of the good steps taken by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to protect the health system against corruption, access to many medical services, medicines, and treatment abroad is still affected by widespread nepotistic practices. Some medical personnel abuse their public office for personal interests. Public resources are used to serve patients, who can afford private clinic fees. Influence is used to access patient transfers and treatment services, which are not covered by health insurance. In addition to increasing violations of the right to health, opportunities for political corruption have risen due to the continued internal Palestinian political divide, resulting in minimal services and short medicines in the Gaza Strip.

Transparent information protects the insured against exploitation

According to Qazzas, professional control over health service providers, including physicians and technicians, is inadequate. An accountability system is absent so as to ensure that health personnel, who commit medical malpractice, do not practice medicine unless they are rehabilitated. A transparent process does not ensure unrestricted access to, and clear documentation of, information. Accordingly, the insured are not allowed an opportunity to claim their rights as stated on the insurance contract. Sometimes, any person in a powerful position can exploit this lack of clarity.
Dr. Waleed al-Khatib, MoH representative, said the Ministry was in agreement with the study, particularly in respect of administrative aspects. For example, ineffective supervision and control have created a gap in public trust in the MoH. According to Al-Khatib, citizens always expect more and better services that are beyond the current capacities of the Ministry. Al-Khatib warned against the danger posed by exaggerating and generalising any issue, creating an atmosphere of chaos in society, undermining trust and confidence, and deepening gaps in the relationship between citizens and the MoH. The latter incessantly seeks to improve the health sector.

A compulsory, comprehensive health insurance system is both a necessity and a need

Dr. Yasser Abu Safiyyah, Chairman of the Union of Private Hospitals, made clear that the current health insurance system was unjust to the Palestinian people. A collaborative system that is associated with income tax should be adopted. Ghassan Shakhshir, Programme Advisor at the Norway Representative Office to the Palestinian Authority, stressed the need to pay attention to international indicators of human rights in general, and the right to health in particular. “As Palestinians, we are victims of these indicators, they do not reflect the real-life situation, the reality looks good when these indicators are cited.”

All participants agreed that the study was a model, which should be built on. This initiative should be extended. Focused studies must also be developed so as to address each aspect introduced by AMAN’s study. The research methodology and indicators need to be further developed to reflect the link between corruption and the right to health in more detail.

The working brought together a number of representatives of government bodies and civil society organisations, interested audiences, and researchers in human rights and corruption. It is worth noting that the study is part of Raising Community Awareness of the Link between Corruption and Human Rights, a programme implemented by AMAN in partnership with SAWASYA – UNDP/UN Women/UNICEF Joint Programme. In this context, AMAN implemented a number of activities and events in conjunction with the study. The Coalition published educational and training manuals on the link between corruption and human rights, with a particular focus on the right to health. AMAN also launched relevant awareness raising and advocacy campaigns.

 

Download the Study

go top