Assessment of financial flow in the health system of Serbia in a period 2003-2006

Abstract

Establishing NHA provided a pattern of national healthcare spending and allowed a comparison of healthcare system in Serbia with the systems of other countries. Analysing a period 2003-2006 revealed a similarity between Serbia and the countries of the European Unity in regard to the level of average financial resources allocation for healthcare expressed as a percentage of GDP, as well as in regard to financiers in the system of healthcare. A high purchasing power disparity, however, in healthcare services was observed between the population of Serbia and other European countries.

Macroeconomic Policy Impact On Oncology-Related Public Expenditure In An Emerging European Market – Signs Of Early Recovery

“…Serbia will likely suffer from ongoing economic difficulties, such as increasing foreign debt, currency devaluation, high unemployment rates and inefficient healthcare financing (13,15). A bold step forward was the introduction of national health accounts in the country based on similar World Health Organization practices in other regions across the globe (44). National health accounts (NHA) allow more precise knowledge of financial flows within the health system and international comparability of data (45).…”

Social Protection in Health Care and Vulnerable Population Groups in Serbia

“…As part of the health care reforms, in 2002, the Serbian government introduced official co-payments for services covered by the compulsory health insurance to improve the financial situation of the public health care system. The introduction of official co-payments was accompanied with an exemption mechanism ( 7 , 17 ).…”

Health care economics in Serbia: Current problems and changes

“…These expenditures mainly include buying of medicines which are not on the positive list and use of private health care services 15,16 . There are two types of out-of-pocket patient payments: official copayments and informal (unofficial) patient payments.…”

“…Among the main challenges to deal with for NHA is weak transparency in public and private financial flows, particularly informal payments 15 . Development of this institution was supported by MoH and financed by the World Bank, and the first national health accounts was produced at the beginning of 2006.…”