article · Evidence Based Health Policy Management and Economics
Sickle cell disease presents a substantial financial burden for affected individuals and their families in Tanzania. A cross-sectional study of 207 patients at Muhimbili National Hospital, of whom over ninety percent were children under eighteen, evaluated the economic impact of care between June 2021 and May 2022. The average annual cost per patient was 847,186.01 Tanzanian Shillings, equivalent to roughly 367.62 US Dollars. Direct healthcare expenditures made up more than three quarters of the total spend, driven predominantly by medications, diagnostic tests, and consultations. While indirect costs such as lost productivity also contributed to the overall economic strain, health insurance coverage proved effective in mitigating expenses, reducing the financial burden for patients by nearly two thirds.
Sickle cell disease creates heavy economic pressures on families in Tanzania, especially as most patients are children. Because direct expenses like medicines and tests form the bulk of these costs, expanding access to health insurance and strengthening healthcare infrastructure can immediately reduce household financial distress and improve treatment consistency.
The findings provide applied economic evidence that can inform health insurance providers, micro-insurance developers, and healthcare administrators designing coverage models for chronic conditions. The data directly quantifies baseline expenditure and the cost-offset potential of insurance schemes, offering actionable insights for immediate use in policy structuring and healthcare financing programmes.
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Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects thousands in Tanzania, causing high healthcare costs and economic burden. This study estimates the annual cost of SCD care for patients at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to May 2022 at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. A systematic sampling method was used to select 207 patients. Data were collected through structured interviews. Direct cost was also obtained from individual perspective and indirect costs were assessed using the Human Capital Method. Finally, data processing was done in Microsoft Excel, and analysis was performed using SPSS20. Results: A total of 207 patients participated, with 91.3% under 18. The average annual cost of SCD care was TZS 847,186.01 (USD 367.62), with direct costs accounting for 76.4%. Medications, tests, and consultations were the major contributors to these costs (48%), and health insurance reduced costs by 64.4%. Conclusion: SCD in Tanzania creates a significant financial burden, primarily due to direct medical costs, along with indirect costs like lost productivity. Addressing this requires better health insurance access, reduced indirect costs, and improved healthcare infrastructure.
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DOI: 10.18502/jebhpme.v8i3.18080
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