Economic Burden of Sickle Cell Disease at Tertiary Health Facilities in Tanzania: Financial Impact on Patients at Muhimbili National Hospital

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 ۲۰۲۱ to May ۲۰۲۲ at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. A systematic sampling method was used to select ۲۰۷ 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 SPSS version ۲۰. Results: A total of ۲۰۷ patients participated, with ۹۱.۳% under ۱۸. The average annual cost of SCD care was TZS ۸۴۷,۱۸۶.۰۱ (USD ۳۶۷.۶۲), with direct costs accounting for ۷۶.۴%. Medications, tests, and consultations were the major contributors to these costs (۴۸%), and health insurance reduced costs by ۶۴.۴%.   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.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) ، Healthcare costs ، Tanzania ، Economic burden ، Muhimbili National Hospital ، Patient costs