Effects of corruption and unaccountability on responses of frontline health workers to COVID-19 in Nigeria: Lessons and considerations for the social work profession

Abstract

COVID-19 stretched health systems, exacerbated by concerns about those that are corrupt and lack equity. Twelve (12) health workers and 12 hospital social workers across Nigeria were purposively sampled and virtually interviewed to explore unaccountability and corruption effects on COVID-19 responses. Findings show that corruption and unaccountability negatively affected responses of frontline health workers to the pandemic. Lack of social care and justice services for patients and health workers across health facilities in Nigeria worsened the negative effects. Effectively mainstreaming social care and justice services into Nigeria’s healthcare led by well-trained social workers will improve the health sector via anticorruption.