Unit cost estimation for outpatient and inpatient departments in Nakloeung District Hospital, Cambodia

Abstract

A lot of people have complained that they have been overcharged by uncontrolled private clinics for their health services. However the Government do not have enough resources to provide free health care for the people. As a result, Cambodian Government is considering the introduction of user fee system in the public hospitals. Nakloeung district hospital was purposely selected as a case study. The objective of the study is to estimate unit cost of services provided by Nakloeung district hospital for both outpatient and inpatient departments in order that cost recovery fees can be set. A step-down method was used to calculate the unit cost for the year 1997 ($1 was equivalent to 2700 riels). Cost per visit in outpatient department varied from 2,188 riels to 2272 riels (from $0.81 to $0.84) and the cost per patient day varied from 11,289 riels to 12,528 riels ($4.18 to $4.64) when the volume of activities increases 20% and the personnel of the district hospital were give incentive. This result could be useful and can help the committee of the district, GTZ, and Ministry of Health to make decision on cost projection, health care pricing policy and the establishment of the fee system.