Out of Pocket and Health Facility Charges Among Patients Undergoing Dialysis at Services Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Objective:- Dialysis is the process of removing waste products and excess fluid from the body. Dialysis

allows the patient with kidney failure a chance to live a productive life. However, the out-of-pocket

expenditure on this essential procedure can result in financial burden on these patients. The purpose of this

study was to assess out of pocket expenditures and health facility charges among patients undergoing dialysis

at Services Hospital, Lahore.

Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Dialysis unit of Services Hospital.

About 130 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were included in the study after an informed

consent. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire regarding all the study variables and was entered

in SPSS for analysis to determine the out-of-pocket expenses in these patients.

Result: Mean out of pocket expenditure (both medical and non-medical) was Rs.4950/- week while mean

out of pocket charges on lab investigation were Rs.10300/- rupees during one year of dialysis. Mean monthly

transport charges were Rs.1500, wheelchair charges were 150, expenditures on medicine were 2100 while

charges of OPD and other treatment cost was Rs.1200. Study shows that 69.2% of the patients who had

irregular treatment were suffering from co-morbidity while only 8.4% had no issue other than renal disease.

There were 33 patients who reported irregularity in treatment. The reason for this irregularity was due to out-

of-pocket expenditures, while 9.09% was due to other reason.

Conclusion: Our research concluded that although the health facilities provided by the dialysis unit of

Services hospital to the patients is free of cost, still a considerable proportion of money is being spent in form

of medical and non-medical expenses which are not being covered by the government facilities. Strategic

measures should be taken to decrease these expenses as well as to relieve the financial burden of these

patients.