Costing of immunization service provision in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka: a crosssectional study.
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Date
2016-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Abstract
Background: Immunization is regarded as the single most cost-effective way
to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. With the rising cost of the National
Immunization Programme (NIP) in Sri Lanka, immunization costing studies could
help programme managers to ensure sustainable immunization financing in the
country.
Methods: Four medical officer of health (MOH) divisions in Kalutara district
were included, to estimate the cost incurred for the NIP programme. Fifteen
immunization clinics from urban and rural settings were selected from the selected
MOH divisions, by a simple random sampling method. Data were collected for a
period of 3 months, using pretested check-lists. In addition, related data at national
and district levels were also collected. Cost estimates were made for direct capital
and recurrent costs.
Results: The cost of vaccines under the national immunization schedule for
infants was 1361.84 SL Rs (US$ 10.32). For children under 5 years of age, it was
1535.64 SL Rs (US$ 11.63). The majority of these costs were direct recurrent costs
(93.4%). Vaccines (84.3%) and staff salaries (6.4%) were the main components of
direct recurrent costs, while cold-chain equipment (5.3%) was the main contributor
to direct capital cost.
Conclusion: The cost of vaccine is the highest proportion among all other cost
components in the NIP in Sri Lanka, and this is largely attributable to new costly
vaccines. Staff payments are not significant, as they are a shared cost of public
health service providers. Studies exploring the costing of the NIP in the country
would be beneficial, to ensure sustainable immunization financing.
Description
Keywords
cost, immunization, immunization costing, Sri Lanka, vaccines
Citation
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 2016;5(2): 149-154.