An Analysis of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure Due to Non-Availability of Computed Tomography Scan in Public Sector: A Case Study of Hira Medical Center Sukkur Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Out of pocket (OOP) spending on health contributes significantly to levels of poverty in developing countries such as Pakistan. In poor countries there is reduced or limited access to health services, the issue of affordability and availability which all lead to impaired health status and increased morbidity and mortality rates in developing countries. Catastrophic health expenditure is not always synonymous with high health care costs; even small Out of pocket expenses may cause catastrophic condition for poor people. Methods: This is a cross sectional study that determined the out of pocket cost of computed tomography scan test (CT scan). The study was conducted from April to June 2015. The study population was those patients who came for CT scan at Hira medical center in district Sukkur Sindh Pakistan. The study sample was one hundred and seventy patients. (n=150).  From the perspective of consumer the methodology was adopted, various recurrent costs were determined under different levels of input and cost canters. The data was entered and analyses using SPSS 20 to provide the results as percentages and averages for the different variables in this study. Results: Through this research we found that out of pocket payments are way too high while putting alot of burden on lower socioeconomic groups. Health expenditure Average cost per patient calculated were Rs. 11000 which means people spend more than 40% of  their monthly income on health. There should be a government health facility in the city to compensate the huge cost which people pay for health especially low monthly income people. Conclusion: Government should introduce a health coverage insurance system in Pakistan in order to cover all health care needs of the people irrespective of their socioeconomic status. Keeping in view high out of pocket spending on health, the Government should subsidize the prices of diagnostic test to give relief to its Population. Community participation is also essential for sustainable solutions.