Corruption and Health Systems in Latin America: A Barrier to Equity and Quality in Medical Care

Abstract

Corruption severely erodes health systems across Latin America, acting as a major barrier to achieving equitable access and quality care. These practices—ranging from embezzlement and irregular procurement to the diversion of supplies—divert billions of dollars annually, weakening institutional foundations and directly impacting patient safety and service availability, particularly in marginalized rural areas. The systemic issues of deep inequality and fragmented governance create fertile ground for corruption, diminishing resource allocation for essential services and undermining public trust. The editorial emphasizes that tackling corruption is inseparable from improving healthcare quality. Key strategies include implementing strong governance and transparency mechanisms in financial management, empowering community participation for local oversight, strengthening primary and rural care services with adequate investment, and generating evidence-based data to monitor the problem's true magnitude. Family medicine, due to its community proximity, is uniquely positioned to foster the transparency and trust needed to transform these systems.