World Bank Hospital Financing Under Scrutiny by Human Rights Organizations
In a joint call to action, over 50 human rights organisations, nonprofits, and international development experts have urged the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group to investigate its healthcare investments in Africa and Asia. The appeal comes following a series of reports by Bloomberg News and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which allege human rights violations and financial report falsification in several countries.
The groups are urging the IFC to freeze any additional funding to for-profit health-care providers and are calling for an investigation by the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman, an independent office responsible for addressing complaints from people impacted by IFC projects. However, the IFC has not responded to these requests, nor has it addressed the groups' concerns and evidence presented regarding the harm caused by its healthcare investments.
Bloomberg News articles detail patient abuses at World Bank-funded hospitals, including denial of emergency medical care and holding patients due to unpaid bills. Officially, officials at another hospital in Pakistan have also alleged financial reports were falsified. Furthermore, reporting shows whistleblowers raised concerns about pressure to boost revenue by performing unnecessary procedures at a hospital in Kenya.
The IFC has not directly responded to these claims, nor has it made any statement regarding the need for procedures to ensure that those harmed by its investments can seek effective remedies. Instead, the IFC has only announced plans to tighten its appraisal and supervision process to address concerns.
Notably, the hospital companies involved have denied abusing patients or prioritizing profit over care. Previously, the IFC told Bloomberg that it has protocols in place for protecting patients. However, the groups are asking the bank to put in place procedures to ensure that those harmed by its investments can seek effective remedies.
The groups' letter to the bank's president and board of executive directors states that Bloomberg's findings corroborate years of evidence and concerns presented to the World Bank Board regarding the harm caused by IFC's healthcare investments. The IFC has not yet responded to this letter or a request for comment regarding the allegations.
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