Cost-benefit analysis of establishing and operating radiation oncology services in Fiji

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 50, Part B
Author(s): Eunkyoung Kim, Yoon-min Cho, Soonman Kwon, Kunhee Park
BackgroundRising demand for services of cancer patients has been recognised by the Government of Fiji as a national health priority. Increasing attention has been paid to the lack of service of radiation therapy or radiotherapy in Fiji.ObjectiveThis study aims to estimate and compare the costs and benefits of introducing radiation oncology services in Fiji from the societal perspective.MethodsTime horizon for cost-benefit analysis (CBA) was 15 years from 2021 to 2035. The benefits and costs were converted to the present values of 2016. Estimates for the CBA model were taken from previous studies and expert opinions and data obtained from field visits to Fiji in January 2016. Sensitivity analyses with changing assumptions were undertaken.ResultsThe estimated net benefit, applying the national minimum wage (NMW) to measure monetary value for life-year gained, was −31,624,421 FJD with 0.69 of benefit-cost (B/C) ratio. If gross national income (GNI) per capita was used for the value of life years, net benefit was 3,975,684 FJD (B/C ratio: 1.04). With a pessimistic scenario, establishing the center appeared to be not cost-beneficial, and the net benefit was −53,634,682 FJD (B/C ratio: 0.46); net benefit with an optimistic scenario was estimated 23,178,189 FJD (B/C ratio: 1.20).ConclusionsBased on the CBA results from using GNI per capita instead of the NMW, this project would be cost-beneficial. Introducing a radiation oncology center in Fiji would have potential impacts on financial sustainability, financial protection, and accessibility and equity of the health system.



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