Supporting the revision of the health benefits package in Uganda: A constrained optimisation approach

Sakshi Mohan*, Simon Walker, Freddie Sengooba, Elizabeth Ekirapa Kiracho, Chrispus Mayora, Aloysius Ssennyonjo, Candia Tom Aliti, Paul Revill

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study demonstrates how the linear constrained optimization approach can be used to design a health benefits package (HBP) which maximises the net disability adjusted life years (DALYs) averted given the health system constraints faced by a country, and how the approach can help assess the marginal value of relaxing health system constraints. In the analysis performed for Uganda, 45 interventions were included in the HBP in the base scenario, resulting in a total of 26.7 million net DALYs averted. When task shifting of pharmacists' and nutrition officers' tasks to nurses is allowed, 73 interventions were included in the HBP resulting in a total of 32 million net DALYs averted (a 20% increase). Further, investing only $58 towards hiring additional nutrition officers' time could avert one net DALY; this increased to $60 and $64 for pharmacists and nurses respectively, and $100,000 for expanding the consumable budget, since human resources present the main constraint to the system.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages12
JournalHealth Economics
Early online date15 Mar 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 15 Mar 2023

Bibliographical note

© 2023 The Authors.

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