A cost analysis study to estimate the cost spent by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, Ghaziabad, for treatment of substance use disorders for a defined study population

Abstract

Introduction: Cost analysis can help hospital administrators and policymakers to determine how well their institution meets this public need. As financial management technique, cost analysis helps to furnish the necessary data for making a more informed decision on operations and infrastructure investments. Keeping this in mind, a study aims to estimate the cost spent by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), Ghaziabad, for the treatment of substance use disorders for a defined study population was conducted. Methodology: A descriptive observational study was conducted in the Outpatient Department (OPD) of NDDTC on Male, heroin-dependent patients seeking treatment from NDDTC OPD, Ghaziabad. The data were processed using SPSS software version 15.0. Results: NDDTC spent about Rs. 89379403 in the fiscal year 2008–2009 on treatment services. In the same year, NDDTC provided OPD treatment to about 5109 patients. Conclusion: This study successfully demonstrated that: The total expenditure of a tertiary care apex center like NDDTC, appears at first glance to be very high; however on projecting it to per patient per day, the total expenditure was just Rs. 47.59/per day.

Keywords

• costing
• heroin
• substance use