Cost and productivity of cataract surgery in different eye care deliverly settings in Kenya
View/ Open
Date
1999Author
Karimurio, Jefitha
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Cataract which is defined as an opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye is the leading
cause of visual impairment and blindness in Kenya and in the whole world in general.
The global backlog of people blind from cataract is expected to be about 25 million by
the turn of the century. Majority of cataracts are age related. Surgical removal of the
opaque lens and correction with an intraocular lens implant or aphakic spectacles is the
only known treatment. There is no known drug treatment. The global burden of
cataract blindness is on the increase as a result of the increase in life expectancy and a
relative shortage of facilities for cataract surgery. The poor developing nations in
Africa and Asia are most affected(9). Resources allocated for the treatment of cataract
in Kenya like in other developing nations, are not only scarce but have also been
shrinking with time. Prioritisation during planning and resource allocation should be
done for the benefit of the majority in the spirit of “ health for all by the year 2000 and
beyond ”. This can only be possible if we are aware of the costs incurred in cataract
surgery and the ways by which costs can be contained. Cost sharing is one of the
means of financing health services in Kenya. When the costs of each individual health
services e.g. cataract surgery is known, it is easy to estimate how much patients should
be charged as hospital user charges. Overcharging lowers utilisation while
undercharging threatens sustainability of the heath services. The exact cost per unit
service should thus be reviewed regularly.
Publisher
University College of London
Description
MSc. Thesis