🧵 1/ Our new study in BMJ Global Health looks at the role of social capital in tackling - or fuelling - in healthcare systems. With @dinabalabanova.bsky.social and Nigerian colleagues. In Nigeria, we show how personal networks often determine who gets care. Here’s what we found.

I am incredibly privileged to have led the #AccountabilityinAction project with Obinna Onwujekwe and the wonderful team in Health Policy Research Group, Uni Nigeria. How does the group acts on health sector corruption? A thread @martinmckee.bsky.social @eleanorhutch.bsky.social @lancetgh.bsky.social

1/ How does the COVID Inquiry's Module 2 report align with what we said in @independentsage.bsky.social at the time? A 🧵on Transparency, Early & Decisive Action, Scientific Advice, Integration of Social & Economic Harms, Communication and Behavioural Science, Governance, Data and Preparedness

We often forget how far we have come: Today almost 3/4 of EU electricity generation is from non-fossil energy sources. It is not long ago that fossil fuels dominated the EU's electricity mix. This year their share is approaching 1/4 of EU electricity generation. Source is @ember-energy.org

Our new paper (by @petravarkonyi.bsky.social) shows a link b/n perceived corruption and health outcomes in central & eastern Europe. Expanded coverage isn’t enough—informal payments persist. Real change needs anti-corruption/ACTA tinyurl.com/2ky3rbkc @martinmckee.bsky.social @obshealth.bsky.social

Crises like pandemics, cholera outbreaks & climate disasters don’t just strain health systems — they amplify corruption risks. New #GIACE blog by Claudia Baez Camargo & @dinabalabanova.bsky.social explores how overlapping emergencies in Malawi opened space for corruption. 🔗 bit.ly/BaselGIACEBlog

Great to see #HSR2026 abstracts open! hsr2026.healthsystemsresearch.org/theme-for-hs... @lucygilson.bsky.social @seyeabimbola.bsky.social @karengrepin.bsky.social @rosemarymorgan.bsky.social @robertmarten.bsky.social @alliancehpsr.bsky.social @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @martinmckee.bsky.social

Excellent opening ceremony for @pen-connect.bsky.social with a reminder of the project aim from Prof Ana Mocumbi

Prof Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch highlights @who.int PEN & PEN Plus in Mozambique inform @pen-connect.bsky.social bridging levels of NCD care. Support from @ec.europa.eu @gacdmedia.bsky.social 🙏 @martinmckee.bsky.social @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @hsglobal.bsky.social @alliancehpsr.bsky.social

The search for an internet connection… with thanks to @tolibmirzoev.bsky.social

And one of our first actions was to create a @bsky.app account (of course!) Follow us @pen-connect.bsky.social if interested in non-communicable disease manage in low and middle income countries @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @tolibmirzoev.bsky.social @eleanorhutch.bsky.social

Great deep dive into complex nature of health systems and non-linear NCD care pathways by @dinabalabanova.bsky.social!!! @eleanorhutch.bsky.social @alliancehpsr.bsky.social @robertmarten.bsky.social @hsr-lshtm.bsky.social @hsglobal.bsky.social

Very exciting and advanced project with our colleagues at @utrechtuniversity.bsky.social and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane uem.mz. We would like to find patient centred and systemic solutions to the growing burden of NCD @tolibmirzoev.bsky.social

1/ 🚨 New Lancet Global Health Commission on Anti-Corruption in Health: Corruption - an institutional failure & a global threat www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #GlobalHealth #AntiCorruption @martinmckee.bsky.social @eleanorhutch.bsky.social @preslavastoeva.bsky.social @tolibmirzoev.bsky.social

Important paper for our forthcoming #LancetGlobalHealthCommissiononAnti-corruption. A lot can be gained by using AI-enabled approaches but there is a need for new skills, capacities and power to use it for good We need a nuanced argument @eleanorhutch.bsky.social @anticorruption.bsky.social

6️⃣ The way forward Invest in: • Skilled personnel 👩‍💻 • Data interoperability 📂 • Participatory oversight mechanisms 🗳️ • Ethical AI policies 🌐 AI should support—not replace—human judgment.

5️⃣ AI’s dual nature AI can uncover hidden fraud or enable corruption on an unprecedented scale. Success hinges on who controls the data and tools—governments, civil society, or private entities.

4️⃣ Governance is key For AI to be effective, we need: • Transparent algorithms ⚖️ • Strong human oversight 🧑‍⚖️ • Legal and ethical frameworks 🛡️ Poor implementation risks false accusations and perpetuating inequities.

3️⃣ But risks abound… AI isn’t neutral. Biases in data and algorithms can reinforce corruption rather than combat it. Authoritarian misuse of AI can suppress dissent while protecting elites.

2️⃣ How AI helps: Anti-Corruption Tools (ACTs) • Detect anomalies in procurement & billing 📊 • Spot counterfeit medicines 🔍 • Enhance transparency via blockchain integration 🔗 Examples: AI bots flagging suspicious expenses, detecting bid-rigging, or mapping drug supply chains.

🧵 1️⃣ Corruption in health systems is pervasive. It diverts resources, erodes trust, and lowers care quality. Our new paper in Int J Health Plan Management led by @paula171.bsky.social w/ @dinabalabanova.bsky.social asks whether AI might help or hinder?

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s event! Looking forward to connecting with sharp minds to tackle corruption and brainstorm real solutions for our region. Let’s make a difference together! #AntiCorruption #Research #Health @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @martinmckee.bsky.social @alanzarychta.bsky.social

La #corrupción es omnipresente en nuestra región, sin embargo medirla, entenderla y encontrar soluciones es un reto mayúsculo. Acompañanos para discutir algunas oportunidades. Registro: ow.ly/81kN50VQX5u @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @martinmckee.bsky.social @alanzarychta.bsky.social

Great commentary by Helen Walls @martinmckee.bsky.social & @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @thelancet.bsky.social It's corruption! www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

The need to call out corporate corruption in health - The Lancet Excellent from Helen Walls @martinmckee.bsky.social and @dinabalabanova.bsky.social www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Written by Helen Walls, @martinmckee.bsky.social and @dinabalabanova.bsky.social of @lshtm.bsky.social

Pleased to see our #realist analysis of maternal mental health from RESPONSE project is out in HPP. Great lead by Dr Lucy Yevoo! @hsr-lshtm.bsky.social @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @alliancehpsr.bsky.social @lshtm.bsky.social @lucygilson.bsky.social academic.oup.com/heapol/advan...

Big congrats Dr Zehra Zeinali, Dr Abdul Ghaffar and Dr Keith Cloete on well deserved joint Health Systems Global - @alliancehpsr.bsky.social societal awards #HSR2024!!! @lucygilson.bsky.social @karengrepin.bsky.social @dinabalabanova.bsky.social @martinmckee.bsky.social 👏👏🏿👏🏻

Join us to find out how to study illicit practices in health systems - unspoken rules, patronage, rule breaking networks. Join our clinic, bring our issue at #HSG2024 at 8 am in room 108 www.linkedin.com/posts/dina-b...