Implications of Households Catastrophic Out of Pocket (OOP) Healthcare Spending in Nigeria

Journal of Research in Economics and International Finance (JREIF) Vol. 1 (5) November 2012

5 Pages Posted: 5 Jun 2016

See all articles by Uzochukwu Amakom

Uzochukwu Amakom

Department of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University; African Heritage Institution

Uju Ezenekwe

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Economics

Date Written: November 30, 2012

Abstract

Ensuring sustained improvements in the living standard of the citizenry has led every government evolving development plans to facilitate effective mobilization, management and optimal use of financial resources. The healthcare sector is one of such sectors that requires sustainable investments for any economy to move towards high pedestal of living standard but when such is not happening, households will be forced to spend more in order to provide such services. Based on the foregoing argument, this study analysed the out of pocket healthcare spending of Nigerian households to determine if they are catastrophic. Using intensity and incidence methods, findings revealed that 24% of Nigerian households incur catastrophic health expenditure and this was more prevalent among the richest income quintiles in Nigeria and as such has succeeded in changing the poverty situation (pushing households below poverty line) of most households who were originally on or above the poverty line. The study recommended the need for expansion of social health insurance through the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover the informal sector as a means of increasing resources for healthcare services to ensure universal access and the provision of financial protection to the poor and vulnerable.

Keywords: Healthcare spending, catastrophic expenditure, households, out of pocket (OOP), Nigeria

Suggested Citation

Amakom, Uzochukwu and Ezenekwe, Uju, Implications of Households Catastrophic Out of Pocket (OOP) Healthcare Spending in Nigeria (November 30, 2012). Journal of Research in Economics and International Finance (JREIF) Vol. 1 (5) November 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2789762

Uzochukwu Amakom

Department of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University ( email )

Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Awka
Nigeria

African Heritage Institution ( email )

54 Nza Street, Independence Layout
Box 2147
Enugu
Nigeria

HOME PAGE: http://www.afriheritage.org

Uju Ezenekwe (Contact Author)

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Economics ( email )

Enugu-Onitsha Expressway
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Awka, Anambra
Nigeria

HOME PAGE: http://www.unizik.edu.ng/profile/ezenekweur

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