A snapshot of catastrophic post-disaster health expenses post-Haiyan

A snapshot of catastrophic post-disaster health expenses post-Haiyan

Blog Article

Introduction: This paper provides a snapshot of the health-care costs, out-of-pocket expenditures and available safety nets post-Typhoon Haiyan.Methods: This descriptive study used a survey and document review to report direct and indirect health-care costs and existing financial protection mechanisms used by households in two municipalities in the Philippines at one week and at seven months post-Haiyan.Results: Reported out-of-pocket health-care expenses Vinyl were high immediately after the disaster and increased after seven months.The mean reported out-of-pocket expenses were higher than the reported average household income (US$ 24 to US$ 59).

Discussion: The existing local and national mechanisms for health financing were promising and should be strengthened to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and protect people from catastrophic expenditures.Longer-term mechanisms are needed to ensure financial protection, especially among the poorest, beyond three months when most free services and medicines have ended.Preparedness should include prior registration of households #3.37 ESPRESSO that would ensure protection when a disaster comes.