Low, middle income Indian families one hospitalisation away from financial ruins

Low and middle income families in India are just one hospital admission away from a major financial ruin. Individuals suffering from multiple health complications and seeking treatment at private hospitals face a huge risk of catastrophic health expenditure, either as an outpatient or inpatient, a recent study said.

Over half of patients (51 percent)



with multiple morbidities (two or more chronic health conditions) face significant financial burden in private hospitals. The out-of-pocket expenses for outpatient care on private hospitals average Rs 950 while inpatient care costs soar to Rs 60, 438, a clear indication of the immense financial challenge of accessing quality healthcare for middle and low-income families in India.