Forum on Integrity and Transparency in the Health Sector

Under the auspices of the Federal Integrity Commission and attended by representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and professional unions, the Integrity and Transparency Forum in the Health Sector kicked off on Thursday, February 13, 2024. The forum launched the NGO Relations Department’s program, which aims to enhance integrity and transparency standards in health institutions and discuss the most prominent challenges facing this vital sector within the framework of combating corruption.
The forum was opened by Dr. Moataz Al-Abbasi, Director General of the NGO Relations Department, with a speech in which he emphasized that corruption in the health sector poses a direct threat to the lives of citizens, which requires the establishment of strict oversight mechanisms and the strengthening of institutional governance to ensure the provision of fair and quality health services. He noted that the forum is part of the department’s annual plan, which targets several key sectors, including health, education, the economy, and the media and communications sector.
The forum addressed a set of key topics focusing on the role of integrity in improving health performance, most notably:

• Evaluating health policies from an anti-corruption perspective.
• Enhancing transparency in contracting and tendering.
• The impact of corruption on human rights in the health sector.
• The role of digital transformation in reducing administrative and financial violations.
• Measures to protect whistleblowers and strengthen the role of oversight bodies.
  At the conclusion of the forum, participants emphasized the need to enhance cooperation between the Integrity Commission, government agencies, and relevant organizations to develop effective oversight policies and ensure a corruption-free environment within health institutions.
  This forum is part of the Health Sector Integrity Program, which will run until the end of March. It includes field visits, surveys, and specialized workshops aimed at promoting integrity and combating corruption in health institutions in Iraq.