Cost analysis of "Samadigama" Primary Health Care Unit in Sri Lanka

Abstract

To analyze total cost and unit cost of Central Dispensary “Samadigama” in provider’s perspective. CD “Samadigama” is an integration model of providing curative and preventive care services through one center at the primary level facility. This model is currently established in 2007 and implementing at southern part of Sri Lanka, namely Hambantota district, which is based on Classical Primary Care Concept in Taiwan. We use the step-down technique to calculate the unit cost of each patient service department. The data in year 2008 are collected using secondary sources and observation method. We find that the unit costs are Rs.147.00 for OPD, Rs. 261.00 for medical clinic, Rs. 514.00 for antenatal clinic, Rs. 940.00 for well baby clinic, Rs. 561.00 for family planning clinic, Rs. 418.00 for dental clinic and Rs. 232.00 for ayurvedic clinic. The unit costs are relatively high due to lack of full-time staff and underutilization of services. Therefore, we suggest extending number of full-time staff and number of service hours the results show that the unit costs will be reduced by 35% of OPD, 75% of medical clinic and 9% of dental clinic as so on.