High Out-of-pocket Expenditure: A Burden to Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: The healthcare system in Sri Lanka is the metaphorical "feather in the nation's cap". The relationship between social factors that lead to health or chronic diseases has long been recognized in Sri Lanka's public health care delivery system [1]. The chronic nature of coronary heart disease (CHD) and high out of pocket health spending add a substantial cost burden to the economy of the households. The economic burden of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) care to patients and their families is large [2]. A greater understanding of the financial household cost resulting from CABG care has therefore become necessary to better inform policy [3]. This is the first study done in this research aspect in Sri Lanka.