Author
Hilton Y. Lam ,
Adovich S. Rivera ,
Paul Lester C. Chua ,
Jaifred Christian F. Lopez ,
Kent Jason G. Cheng ,
Winston A. Palasi
Related Institution
Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies, National Institutes of Health, - University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Infectious Diseases Office, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, - Department of Health, Philippines
Publication Information
Sub Type
Journal Article, Original
Title
Acta Medica Philippina
Date of Publication
April 2018
Abstract BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is endemic in the Philippines. Currently, the financial and economic costs of hospitalization due to schistosomiasis have not been studied or analyzed. This will be essential to the review of health benefit package of PhilHealth for schistosomiasis.
OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the cost of hospitalization due to schistosomiasis and its complications in the Philippines.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Nine (9) hospitals from schistosomiasis-endemic provinces were included in the study. Medical records and billing statements from year 2013 were retrieved and analyzed. Non-medical costs were calculated based on data from key informants and existing economic data in 2013.
RESULTS: A total of 1,415 hospitalized cases were collected; 94% came from government hospitals. Fifty nine percent (59%) were classified under uncomplicated schistosomiasis. Overall hospitalization costs were PhP 8,489,524.39 (USD 200,006.70), with cases of hepatic complications having the highest costs among all types of cases. Combined nonmedical costs and productivity losses for 5,005 days of hospitalization were PhP 13,019,363.75 (USD 306,726.25).
CONCLUSION: The estimated clinical cost burden and economic losses due to schistosomiasis in selected sites in the Philippines amount to PhP 21,508,888.14 (USD 506,732.95). Significant drivers of cost were the presence of schistosomiasis sequelae or complications, co-morbidities, and increasing length of stay. Estimated productivity losses and non-medical expenses of patients due to hospitalization were found to be more burdensome than the actual hospital bills. These costs stress the need for government to provide health coverage for patients diagnosed with schistosomiasis.
References
1. Department of Health.Administrative order 2007-0015: Revised guidelines in the management and prevention of schistosomiasis.. Manila, Philippines: Department of Health;, 2007.
2. Belizario Jr, VY , Totanes, FIG , De Leon, WU , Lumampao, YF , Ciro, RNT .
Soil-transmitted helminth and other intestinal parasitic infections among school children in indigenous people communities in Davao del Norte, Philippines. Acta Tropica 120(1): September 2011
4. Belizario Jr,, VY , Erfe, JM , Naig, J , Chua, P . Evidence of increasing risk of schistosomiasis among school-age children in municipality of Calatrava, Province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.Asian Pac J Trop Med 8(5): 2005-2005
5. World Health Organization(). Preventive chemotherapy databank: schistosomiasis mass drug administration coverage of Philippines. . Retrieved from:
6. Department of HealthClinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Schistosoma japonicum infections in the Philippines: 2010 update.. Manila: Department of Health, 2010.
7. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas(). 2013 Philippines Peso per US Dollar rate. . Retrieved from:
8. (). National Wages and Productivity Commission, Labor productivity by region 2012 to 2013. . Retrieved from:
10. Tumanan-Mendoza, BA , Mendoza, VL , Punzalan , FER , Reganit, PFM , Bacolcol, SA . Economic burden of community-acquired pneumonia among adults in the Philippines: Its equity and policy implications in the case rate payments of the Philippines Health Insurance Corporation.Value in Health Regional Issues 6, 118-25., 2015-2015
11. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.PhilHealth Circular No. 11-2011: New PhilHealth case rates for selected medical cases and surgical procedures and no balance billing policy. Manila, Philippines:: PhilHealth, 2011.
12. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.PhilHealth Circular No. 31-2013: All case rates policy 1 – governing policies in the shift of provide payment mechanism from fee-for-service to case-based payment.. Manila, Philippines:: PhilHealth, 2013.
13. National Wages and Productivity Commission(). Summary of current regional daily minimum wage rates: non-agriculture, agriculture. . Retrieved from:
14. Ico, RD . Catastrophic health care, poverty, and impoverishment in the Philippines.Philipp Rev Econ 45(1): 2006-2006
15. Insetta, ER , Soriano, AJ , Totanes, FIG , Macatangay, BJ , Belizario, VY Jr. . Fear of birth defects is a major barrier to soil-transmitted helminth treatment (STH) for pregnant women in the philippinesPLoS One 9(2): 2014-2014
16. Belizario, VY Jr , Marfori, JR , Chua, PLC , Naig, JR , Erfe, JM . School-based combined mass drug administration for soil-transmitted helminthiases and schistosomiasis among school-age children: Lessons from two co-endemic areas in the Philippines.Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 5(5): 2015-2015
17. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation(). Schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma japonicum. . Retrieved from: