Economic Burden of Cancer Treatment in Kerala: Experiences of Patients Under Public Health Care Funding with Special Reference to Regional Cancer Centre Thiruvananthapuram

Authors:
Devi Soumyaja and P. M. Sangeetha
Devi Soumyaja, Assistant Professor, School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, KeralaP.M. Sangeetha, M.Phil Scholar , School of Management Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala

Abstract:

The central and state governments have instituted several schemes and subsidies to assist underprivileged patients, particularly those undergoing cancer treatments. The efficacy of these initiatives in fulfilling their intended objectives holds equal importance to their establishment. Hence, to alleviate patients' economic burdens, it is crucial to determine how to manage factors such as awareness, experience, and outcomes of implementing the schemes. Main objective of the study is to understand the extent of awareness among cancer patients about governmental schemes and subsidies. Second, identifying the treatment-related expenditures incurred by cancer patients at regional cancer centres. Third, assessing the economic strain that impacts patients' families. A sample of 250 patients from the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram was carefully selected for this study. The study's findings revealed that a majority of patients and their families become acquainted with public schemes and financial aids primarily through social media and hospital inquiries. At the same time, many patients received financial assistance from different schemes, but most of them had to spend more than 100000 rupees on medications to prevent recurrence. However, shortcomings were identified in the reimbursement system at the RCC, where the processing of fund transactions spanned from 15 days to two months. As a result, patients expressed discontent with the efficiency of the public funding mechanism.

Keywords: Cancer treatment, RCC, Public funding

Received on: 08/01/2023, Revised on: 17/01/2023, Accepted on: 20/01/2023, Published on: 05/05/2023

SMS Journal of Business Management

  • Cited by: 53-60
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