Economic Inquiry of Opportunity Benefits of Public Hospitals in Mizoram.

Abstract

Background: Evaluation and monitoring of public hospitals across Mizoram, India was conducted using hospital records and administrative data from 2016 to 2023.

Objectives: This study seeks to investigate the opportunity benefits of public health services in Mizoram by conducting a comprehensive economic analysis of their cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit while accounting for inflation.

Materials and methods: This study adapted and modified the inflation adjustment methodology employed in previous research to suit its specific requirements. In addition, relevant data were gathered from various official government documents and organizations to facilitate the analysis. Inflation-adjusted variables, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and time series methods were employed for this study.

Results: The opportunity benefits estimated to be ₹33,462,912,272 in 2023, equivalent to 1,640,107,165 in purchasing power parity terms. A cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that public hospitals in the outpatient department had a cost-effectiveness ratio of 0.1323 (13.23%) or 1:8 compared to private hospitals during the study period. The inpatient department had a cost-effectiveness ratio of 0.3141 (31.4%) or 1:3. Furthermore, the cost-benefit ratio of total budgetary allocation to health care was 0.2835 (28.35%) or 1:4. The total opportunity benefits accounted for 17.9% of the Gross State Domestic Product of ₹190,368,300,000 in 2021-2022.

Conclusion: The expansion and development of public health systems are crucial for delivering essential healthcare services to the broader population, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by health disparities.