CAM survey shows Urban-Rural gap in healthcare expenditure

Raipur | Correspondent: In a recent, Comprehensive Annual Modular (CAM) Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

An average out-of-pocket medical expenditure per household on hospitalization over the last 365 days was revealed.

For the Rural household in Chhattisgarh expenditure was an amount of Rs. 1,955 while the urban household spent an average of Rs. 5,433.

In contrast, for the medical expenses not involving hospitalization during 30 days, the state’s rural household spent Rs. 230 while urban house hold spent an amount of Rs. 542.

The data covers period from July 2022 to June 2023.

Out-of-Pocket-expenditure (OOPE) is the amount of expenses households pay directly when receiving healthcare.

The CAM survey, released on Wednesday, was part of the 79th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS).

Notably, health-related indicators were absent in the 2020-21 multiple indicator survey conducted during the 78th round of the NSS.

In comparison, the 75th round of the NSS conducted in 2017-18 revealed that, on average, households in rural India spent Rs 16,676 on medical expenses for hospitalization, while urban households spent Rs 26,475.

When talking about expenses on the basis of country level, Rural household spends an amount of Rs 4,129, while the urban households spent an average of Rs 5,290 on hospitalizations.

In contrast, families in rural areas incurred medical expenses not involving hospitalization amounting to approximately Rs 539.

However, the average of the cost of hospitalization over the one-year period surveyed was Rs 4,496 for rural areas and Rs 6,877 for urban areas.