Expenditure and Utilization Patterns of Cancer Care in Kuwait

Abstract

Cancer is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However. The trends in utilization of cancer services and related expenditures in Kuwait are poorly known. We aim to investigate the expenditure and utilization patterns of cancer care in Kuwait. A three-year retrospective analysis study of expenditure and utilization pattern in KCCC was performed from 2015 to 2017 in MOH in Kuwait. We report a considerable variation of utilizations and expenditure levels over the three-year period. After adjusting the data, there was significant increase in utilization rates and expenditure in 2015-16 followed by significant decrease in year 2016-17. The expenditure was observed to increase by 1.1% in 2016 before it declined by 1.9% in 2017. This study is the first of its kind in Kuwait. We report adequate utilization and expenditure of cancer care in Kuwait. However, we recommend heavy investments in precision medicine technology and patient outcomes research to improve overall financial and operational performance pertaining to cancer care in MOH in Kuwait.