Perceptions of Financial Bribery and Kickbacks on Nigerian Healthcare Public Policy

Financial bribery and kickbacks are characteristics of corruption that are considered a serious threat to healthcare development in Nigeria. The influence of corruption leads to financial waste and negative health consequences for citizens. High demand for quality healthcare and other socioeconomic development infrastructures in the rural areas of the state provide opportunities for misappropriation of allocated healthcare development funds. Using Kingdon\u27s multiple streams theory as the foundation, the purpose of this case study of a single city in Nigeria was to understand how state and city legislators and health administrators perceive the influence of corruption on senior healthcare development, its service delivery, and the lives of residents. Data were collected through interviews with 15 individuals representing older adult participants, state and city legislators, and healthcare administrators and publicly available government data. Following a root cause analysis framework, these data were inductively coded and subject to a thematic analysis procedure. Identified key themes from the study findings were (a) healthcare services, (b) poor infrastructure, (c) poverty, (d) healthcare cost, (e) government and corruption, (f) unpaid wages, (g) health centers, and (h) public and private hospitals. The positive social change implications stemming from this study include recommendations to National Health Insurance Scheme to formulate policies that may improve quality healthcare service and delivery, improve communication between local government and residents, and reduce the high out-of-pocket cost of healthcare. These recommendations may enhance healthcare provider insight on equal healthcare access to seniors and the entire rural community