Mónica García defends Spain's strategy against healthcare fraud and corruption in Luxembourg

The Minister for Health, Mónica García, together with the participants in the meeting of the European Health Fraud and Corruption Network

Mónica García presented the National Strategy against Healthcare Fraud and Corruption in Luxembourg during her speech at the meeting of the European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network (EHFCN), which Spain is joining for the first time with the incorporation of the minister and the technical secretary general, Jacobo Fernández.

García reaffirmed the government's commitment to integrity in the healthcare system, highlighting the strategy in the fight against these practices: "Corruption in healthcare not only erodes trust, but also affects lives and compromises the health and well-being of entire populations". In the face of this challenge, the Ministry of Health has promoted the creation of the Observatory against Healthcare Fraud and Corruption, with the aim of coordinating efforts to preserve citizens' trust and ensure the efficiency of public services.

"It is not just about reacting to problems when they arise, but about creating an ethical infrastructure that makes it more difficult for corrupt or unethical behaviour to occur in the first place," she argued.

The creation of the Observatory reinforces Spain's membership of the European Anti-Corruption Network, representing a decisive step forward in the consolidation of a long-term integrity system to promote transparency and prevent fraud. To this end, the Ministry of Health has developed a comprehensive approach that combines prevention with the strengthening of internal mechanisms, promoting a culture of integrity that serves as a model for regional administrations.

The strategy's mission is to identify risks, act on irregularities and establish a sound ethical framework in the National Health System. In addition to developing a best practice manual and a risk map, it will work on improving data quality and implementing early warnings to ensure proper monitoring of contracts. It will also address conflicts of interest by proposing legislative changes to prevent them, promoting the use of whistleblowing mailboxes, and establishing best practice recognition schemes.

The development of the body will be carried out with the Ministry of Health's already existing material means and personnel resources, and so will not entail an increase in the planned budget. This ensures that the observatory will be able to carry out its tasks efficiently, optimising resources without generating additional costs or increasing public expenditure.

García also stressed the importance of international collaboration, emphasising that the European legislative framework and cooperation with national and international bodies are essential for an effective strategy. "This is the way we can lead a health service with a renewed mission of integrity, which improves the health of citizens and their trust in our institutions," she concluded.

The European Anti-Fraud and Corruption Network, established in 2005, is a non-profit organisation that supports its members in the prevention, detection and investigation of wrongdoing in the health sector. It provides a platform for the exchange of tools, information and best practices, and promotes common standards through training events, collaborating with international bodies in the fight against corruption in healthcare.

The network provides its members with a platform to exchange information, tools and best practices, promoting the development of common standards through educational activities and events, such as workshops and open days. It also represents its members before national, European and international institutions in health care and the fight against fraud and corruption.

Non official translation