Economic burden of cancer and CKD stage-v disease (end stage renal disease) on patients & financial assistance programmes available at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The expenditure of life consuming diseases such as Cancer & End stage renal diseasecis beyond the reach of the common man. Thus financing of healthcare is of paramount importance so as to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services to needy.

AIM & OBJECTIVES:  Study of economic burden of cancer and CKD stage -V (End stage renal disease) on patients at tertiary care hospital, SKIMS & availability of various financial assistance programmes for such patients and identification of bottlenecks in the implementation of these programmes.

METHODS: The study was done in two parts. A retrospective and prospective study each for both Cancer and ESRD patients using simple random sampling and systematic random sampling with 20% sample size each. Out of pocket expenditure, catastrophic health expenditure, distress financing & government schemes were studied.c It was a questionnaire-based study.

RESULTS: In Cancer patients the direct medical and non-medical costs were 78% and 22% respectively. The prevalence of catastrophic health expenditure was 90% & distress financing was 72%.

In ESRD patients the direct medical costs were 90% of the total costs. The prevalence of catastrophic health expenditure was 95% & distress financing was 70%.

20% Cancer patients & 25% ESRD patients had received government financial assistance. Lack of awareness about the schemes was the major reason for not availing assistance.

 CONCLUSION: Catastrophic health expenditure and distress financing are much more common in Cancer and ESRD and often put families into financial crises. Awareness regarding the government financial assistance schemes should be increased to help these families.