Equitable access to state-of-the-art medical technology-a malaysian mini-public- private partnership case study
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The provision of equitable and affordable health care has become increasingly challenging as advanced technology is introduced, particularly in developing countries. We explored the hypothesis that focused, small-scale mini-public-private partnerships have a potential role in providing equitable and affordable access to advanced technology for the benefit of all patients in developing nations, particularly middle-income countries. METHODS: A clinician-led financial plan was developed at the University of Malaya to create the Centre for Image Guidance and Minimally Invasive Therapy (CIGMIT) to provide an integrated platform for high-end care for Malaysian patients of all ages, both public and private, requiring complex neurosurgical and spinal procedures and stereotactic and intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The challenges faced during development of the plan were documented together with an audit of patient throughput and analyses of financial risk and return. RESULTS: CIGMIT opened in 2015. Patient throughput, both public and private, progressively increased in all facilities. In 2015-2019, 37,724 patients used the Centre's facilities. CIGMIT has become progressively more profitable for the University of Malaya, the public and private hospitals, and the investor. CIGMIT has weathered the challenges posed by coronavirus disease 19. CONCLUSIONS: Focused, small-scale mini-public -private partnerships have a potential role in providing advanced technology for the benefit of patients in developing nations, particularly middle-income countries, subject to an approach that balances equity of access between public and private health care systems with fair reward.
Keywords
Global neurosurgery, Health economics, Imaging, Low-and middle-income countries, Public-private partnership
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
National Institute for Health Research Brain Injury MedTech Co-operative and Global Neurotrauma Group,Tunku Abdul Rahman Fund, St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Publication Title
World Neurosurgery
Volume
157
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
STE 800, 230 PARK AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10169 USA