The Role of Community Based Health Insurance Scheme on Financial Protection and Healthcare Seeking Behavior of Households in Tehuledere District, Northeast Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, June 2018
Pages:
13-19
Received:
9 June 2018
Accepted:
4 July 2018
Published:
30 July 2018
Abstract: Healthcare financing in many developing countries dominantly come from out-of-pocket expenditure, and it has remained problematic for its catastrophic consequences on the poor. Community based health insurance scheme become potential strategy to protect households from out- of –pocket expenditure and impoverishment, and access affordable and effective healthcare. Therefore, this study examined the role of community based health insurance on financial protection and healthcare seeking behavior of households in rural Ethiopia. Mixed research approach employed concurrently to collect data from participants, and collected data were analyzed through descriptive, inferential and thematic analysis. The study finding revealed that 71.5% of households protected from extra out of payments (other than premium payment for the scheme). Furthermore, large number of respondents (66.3%) replied that price for the scheme was easily affordable. Moreover, by avoiding out -of -pocket payment, community based health insurance improve healthcare seek behavior of households from modern healthcare providers. However, there were challenges in reimbursement, moral hazards or miss utilizations and adverse selections or the inclusion of chronically ill, poor and fee waivers during enrolment. In general, in the absence of third party and prepayment systems such as health insurance and tax-based healthcare financing, households in many low-income countries are exposed to the financial risks of paying large medical bills from out-of-pocket demands introduction of community based health insurance as alternative financial approach.
Abstract: Healthcare financing in many developing countries dominantly come from out-of-pocket expenditure, and it has remained problematic for its catastrophic consequences on the poor. Community based health insurance scheme become potential strategy to protect households from out- of –pocket expenditure and impoverishment, and access affordable and effect...
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Rationales for Establishing a Radiation Oncology Center in Fiji: Beyond Cost and Benefit Analysis
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, June 2018
Pages:
20-27
Received:
25 June 2018
Accepted:
13 July 2018
Published:
4 August 2018
Abstract: In Fiji, cancers are the third leading cause of death behind cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The cancer incidence is to increase rapidly, but cancer patients are not able to obtain treatment within the country. Instead they have to go abroad because radiotherapy services are not available in Fiji. To overcome the limited accessibility of cancer treatment, Fiji’s government developed the National Cancer Control Plan and established a National Oncology Committee in 2014 to promote the establishment of a radiation oncology center. In spite of the government’s willingness and much research, the implementation of the roadmap to build the oncology center has been delayed. To help the process avoid derailment, this study suggests rationales that go beyond cost-benefit analysis and other validations given in academic research. The three simple but strong rationales are suggested. Health sovereignty makes it the government’s obligation to promote the health of the entire population. Governments should ensure the health of people by guaranteeing basic and necessary health services like cancer treatment. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is an important goal for both developed and developing countries. Under UHC, everyone should be able to access the health services they need without financial hardship. This underscores the fact that UHC without cancer treatment is not possible. The development of a cancer treatment hub in the South Pacific region can be promoted as an important motivation for the establishment of a radiation oncology centre. Many countries in this region are too small to achieve economies of scale in their health sectors. Fiji has the potential to become a cancer treatment hub by establishing and operating a radiation therapy center for the populations of both Fiji and other neighboring countries.
Abstract: In Fiji, cancers are the third leading cause of death behind cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The cancer incidence is to increase rapidly, but cancer patients are not able to obtain treatment within the country. Instead they have to go abroad because radiotherapy services are not available in Fiji. To overcome the limited accessibility of canc...
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