Funds for treatment of hospitalized patients: evidence from Bangladesh.
This study was designed to explore sources of funds for health expenditure of patients if they are hospitalized. We have included 379 patients of 3 private and 7 public hospitals to estimate total expenditure. Of them, 229 (60.4%) were from public and 150 (39.6%) from private hospitals. Mean expenditure was Tk 60,613.3 and 8,262.7, and duration of hospital stay was 10.7 and 11.8 days in private and public hospitals respectively. More than half (55%) of the patients from middle class were treated in private hospitals. Of them, 278 (74.0%) were funded by themselves, 48 (12.8%) by loan with interest rate of 100% to 180%, 23 (6.1%) by loan without interest, 17 (4.5%) by losing their fixed asset, and 4 (1.1%) by begging in the street. Most of the patients did bear expenditure by themselves, followed by loan with high interest rate. 'Distress' selling of property was also a source. Middle-class patients could be comfortable with expenditure if they were in public hospitals.
Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Farhana
F
Begum
Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
Shahinul
S
Alam
Accounts and Finance, Akij Foot Wear Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Akmal
A
Hossain
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001459:Bangladesh; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics*; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000191:economics*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
Bangladesh; Developing nations; Health service; Healthcare expenditure; Hospitals