The cost of universal health care in India: a model based estimate.
BACKGROUND
As high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses pose heavy financial burden on the families, Government of India is considering a variety of financing and delivery options to universalize health care services. Hence, an estimate of the cost of delivering universal health care services is needed.


METHODS
We developed a model to estimate recurrent and annual costs for providing health services through a mix of public and private providers in Chandigarh located in northern India. Necessary health services required to deliver good quality care were defined by the Indian Public Health Standards. National Sample Survey data was utilized to estimate disease burden. In addition, morbidity and treatment data was collected from two secondary and two tertiary care hospitals. The unit cost of treatment was estimated from the published literature. For diseases where data on treatment cost was not available, we collected data on standard treatment protocols and cost of care from local health providers.


RESULTS
We estimate that the cost of universal health care delivery through the existing mix of public and private health institutions would be INR 1713 (USD 38, 95%CI USD 18-73) per person per annum in India. This cost would be 24% higher, if branded drugs are used. Extrapolation of these costs to entire country indicates that Indian government needs to spend 3.8% (2.1%-6.8%) of the GDP for universalizing health care services.


CONCLUSIONS
The cost of universal health care delivered through a combination of public and private providers is estimated to be INR 1713 per capita per year in India. Important issues such as delivery strategy for ensuring quality, reducing inequities in access, and managing the growth of health care demand need be explored.
School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Shankar
S
Prinja
Pankaj
P
Bahuguna
Andrew D
AD
Pinto
Atul
A
Sharma
Gursimer
G
Bharaj
Vishal
V
Kumar
Jaya Prasad
JP
Tripathy
Manmeet
M
Kaur
Rajesh
R
Kumar
D017281:Cost of Illness; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000191:economics; D006296:Health Services; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D017059:Models, Econometric; D017149:Private Sector / Q000191:economics; D011634:Public Health / Q000191:economics*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000191:economics*