Begum, FarhanaAlam, ShahinulHossain, Akmal2016-02-252016-02-252014-09Begum Farhana, Alam Shahinul, Hossain Akmal. Funds for Treatment of Hospitalized Patients: Evidence from Bangladesh. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 2014 Sep; 32(3): 465-470.1606-0997http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/174187This study was designed to explore sources of funds for health expenditure of patients if they are hospitalized. We have included 379 patients of 3 private and 7 public hospitals to estimate total expenditure. Of them, 229 (60.4%) were from public and 150 (39.6%) from private hospitals. Mean expenditure was Tk 60,613.3 and 8,262.7, and duration of hospital stay was 10.7 and 11.8 days in private and public hospitals respectively. More than half (55%) of the patients from middle class were treated in private hospitals. Of them, 278 (74.0%) were funded by themselves, 48 (12.8%) by loan with interest rate of 100% to 180%, 23 (6.1%) by loan without interest, 17 (4.5%) by losing their fixed asset, and 4 (1.1%) by begging in the street. Most of the patients did bear expenditure by themselves, followed by loan with high interest rate. ‘Distress’ selling of property was also a source. Middle-class patients could be comfortable with expenditure if they were in public hospitals.enDeveloping nationsHealthcare expenditureHealth serviceHospitalsBangladeshArticle