Out Of Pocket Expenditure On Thalassemia Major And Its Implications On The Household Economics.

Abstract

Pakistan faces a considerable burden of disease with regard to inherited blood disorder, i.e., Thalassemia Major. Its economic implications are least studied before, particularly when it comes to ascertaining a household's out of pocket expense on treating the disease. This study was carried out to understand the current estimate of Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOP) expense and its implications on the household and livelihood, while seeking treatment for a child suffering from thalassemia. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 3 months' duration. Patients were selected from Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH) and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), through. The descriptive quantitative analysis and inferential analysis was carried through purposive sampling. Treatment expense of entitled patients from FFH hospital (a public hospital which offers entitlement to the families of retired army personnel) was compared with that of non-entitled patients coming to PIMS (a public sector general hospital). Total expense incurred on treatment by the end of the month was PKR. 5000-10,000 (USD31-62) in FFH, while at PIMS, the total expense incurred on treatment by the end of the month was around PKR 80,000 (USD500). Around 37% families having an average monthly income of PkRs25000 (USD150) only, sold their livelihoods, 31% compromised on their children's education expenses and 23% percent curtailed the health expenses of the other children. The out-of-pocket expenditure on treating TM is quite high and compels the families to borrow money and sell or mortgage their property, which puts a great deal monetary pressure given their socio-economic status. A practical solution would be to cover these families under the health safety net supported by the government.