Estimating the Cost of Basic Public Health Service in Township Health Centers in Guangxi province, China: Based on Equivalence method

Abstract

Abstract Objectives By measuring the cost of basic public health service projects in township health centres in Guangxi, it provides a reference for improving the practical test of the theoretical system of the equivalence method, saving the cost of the projects, and improving the efficiency and quality of the services provided by medical personnel. Methods We used a multi-stage stratified sampling method to select 50 township health centres from Guangxi province, China. The cost of the basic public health service projects was measured by the equivalent method through field research and data collection. Results In 2020, 50 township health centres in Guangxi carried out 71 primary medical care services in 5 major categories and 37 basic public health services in 13 major categories, with a total cost of RMB 492,818,700. The equivalent cost of a standard service was RMB 18.00, and the per capital cost of the basic public health service items was RMB 110.95. Conclusion The equivalent method is applicable to township health centres; the financial subsidy of the basic public health service items is lower than the measured standard cost; there are differences in the project cost in different regions, which are mainly affected by the financial funds allocated by the local government and the efficiency of the services provided by grassroots medical staff. There is a need to improve the arrival rate of financial funds and the standardisation of services provided by grassroots medical staff.