Poster 7 - Zin Min Thet Lwin, Vascular Surgery

Summary

This study investigates the cost-effectiveness of hernia repair in Sierra Leone, where a shortage of surgical providers has led to a substantial backlog of patients. Task-sharing between associate clinicians and medical doctors has been implemented to address this challenge, but its economic impact remains uncertain. Using a Markov model, the study evaluates the cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted over 10 years for hernia repair by different providers. Results show that both associate clinicians and medical doctors offer cost-effective solutions (USD 244 and USD 404 per DALY averted, respectively) with associate clinicians delivering comparable health outcomes at lower costs. The projected budget required to clear the backlog over a decade is estimated to be USD 106 million. Overall, the findings suggest that task-sharing, particularly with associate clinicians, holds promise for improving access to essential surgical services in Sierra Leone.