The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has highlighted a recent report showing that doctors and nurses in the public sector have the lowest bribery rate compared to other public sectors.
NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, discussed the findings during a news briefing in Abuja.
The report, titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends Third Survey on Corruption as Experienced by the Population”, was conducted by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
According to the report, 30% of adult Nigerians accessing services from doctors and nurses in the public sector did not pay or were not asked to pay bribes.
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However, the report also indicated that 4% of adults accessing care in the public sector from doctors and nurses either bribed or were asked to pay bribes.
Prof. Audu emphasized that the NMA aims to reduce this 4% to zero.
He noted the low bribery rate is significant considering the high level of contact doctors and nurses have with the public.
“This is the least figure for bribery in all public sectors in this country. It is an attestation to the integrity within the health sector of the country,” he said.
He added that despite the low percentage, the association will make extra efforts to eliminate bribery entirely.
He also pointed out that the research focused only on adult Nigerians, omitting the significant amount of care doctors and nurses provide to children.
Prof. Audu encouraged the NBS and UNODC to conduct research highlighting public sector officials who go the extra mile to provide services despite challenges and inadequate facilities. He noted that it is common for doctors and nurses to contribute money to help indigent patients, a practice often overlooked.
