A/72/137
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to
the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical
and mental health
Summary
Corruption can have a devastating effect on good governance, the rule of law,
development and the equitable enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to
health. In many countries health care is among the most corrupt sectors, threatening
the sustainability of health-care systems worldwide. Corruption originates from
power imbalances and asymmetries, is perpetuated by non -transparent decisionmaking and reinforces ineffective and harmful policymaking and health services
provision. The present report is focused not only on those forms of corruption that
are legally defined as breaking the law and should be brought to justice, but also on
those practices which undermine principles of medical ethics and social justice, as
well as effective and transparent health-care provision. The right to health provides a
valuable normative framework and constitutes a legally binding imperative to
analyse and address corruption affecting the right to health and occurring in and
beyond the health sector.
Contents
Page
2/22
I.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
II.
Corruption and the right to health: key issues and trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
III.
Corruption and the normative framework of the right to health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
A.
The right to health as a legally binding obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
B.
Available, accessible, acceptable and good-quality health care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
C.
Underlying and social determinants of the right to health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
D.
Participation, transparency and accountability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
E.
Role and responsibilities of non-state actors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
IV.
Issue in focus: corruption and the right to mental health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
V.
Conclusions and recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
A.
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
B.
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
17-11954