Preference for private healthcare higher in rural Kozhikode, says study
‘Out-of-pocket expenditure remains considerable among insured and uninsured households’
A recent study conducted in rural Kozhikode district has revealed that 17.4% of the population required outpatient medical treatment within 15 days, while 1.9% needed inpatient care annually. The study found that private healthcare facilities were utilized more often for both outpatient and inpatient care. Out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) were higher in private settings compared to public ones for both types of care.
Despite many households being covered under government health insurance schemes, the cost burden remained significant for both insured and uninsured individuals. The study, titled 'Morbidity and out-of-pocket expenditure among rural households of Kozhikode district, Kerala', was published in the Healthline Journal and involved 700 households with a sample size of 2,371.
Infectious diseases were the most common cause of outpatient issues, while accidents and injuries accounted for a smaller proportion. Private facilities were the preferred choice for both outpatient and inpatient care, with out-of-pocket expenses being higher in private settings. The study suggests that the preference for private care reflects the growing privatization of healthcare, driven by factors such as shorter waiting times, perceived better quality, and greater flexibility.
However, despite potential cost savings, insured individuals still faced substantial financial burdens.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
