Reducing Out of Pocket Expenditure in Sri Lankan Healthcare | Lakmalie Jayaweera | TEDxColombo

TL;DR

High out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in Sri Lanka affects families, leading to impoverishment and limited access to basic necessities. Community healthcare leaders can help improve healthcare outcomes and reduce financial burden.

Transcript

foreign Ty is a 59 year old lady with four adult children her dream is to see her youngest daughter himeshi getting married in a beautiful elegant but traditional wedding the highlight of this wedding would be when the groom would present his mother-in-law to be with the gift of six yards of silk as a token of appreciation for nurturing for breastf... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇱🇰 High out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in Sri Lanka is a significant challenge, affecting families' finances and access to basic necessities.
• 😋 Medical expenses, travel costs, and food are primary contributors to out-of-pocket expenditure during hospitalization.
• 🥺 Integrated home-based management systems, led by community healthcare leaders, can provide effective care during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• ❓ The collaboration and involvement of community members as healthcare ambassadors can improve healthcare outcomes and reduce financial burdens.
• 🎮 Tuberculosis control initiatives benefit from community healthcare ambassadors who can help reduce stigma and identify cases for early treatment.
• 😨 Healthy lifestyle clinics at primary medical care institutions offer preventive care for non-communicable diseases but have low utilization rates.
• 🥶 Individuals can contribute to a non-communicable disease-free future by supporting and standing alongside healthcare workers for better healthcare outcomes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure?

Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure refers to direct payments made by individuals or households for their healthcare needs, including medical costs, non-medical expenses like food and transport, and indirect costs like loss of employment opportunities.

Q: How does high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure affect families in Sri Lanka?

When families have to spend over 40% of their non-food subsistence expenditure on healthcare, it is considered catastrophic health expenditure, leading to impoverishment and the sacrifice of basic necessities like education and nutritious food.

Q: How did the integrated home-based management system during COVID-19 help reduce out-of-pocket expenditure?

The system, led by community healthcare leaders and pre-intern doctors, provided remote monitoring and care for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients. This reduced the need for hospitalization, travel expenses, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Q: How can individuals become community healthcare leaders?

Qualifications for becoming a community healthcare leader vary, but anyone with a passion for health, knowledge, experience, and compassion can contribute. Whether you have a science background or are a community leader, your involvement can make a difference.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Many families in Sri Lanka struggle with high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, with spending reaching 51% of non-food subsistence expenditure.

• A study conducted in an orthopedic ward found that patients spent a significant amount on radiological investigations, travel expenses, and food during hospitalization.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, an integrated home-based management system, led by community healthcare leaders, successfully cared for nearly 700,000 patients and reduced out-of-pocket expenditure.