Out of Pocket Expenditure on Institutional Deliveries in India

BackgroundOut-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) on institutional deliveries in India impose significant financial burdens, disproportionately affecting socio-economically vulnerable populations and regions despite various policy interventions.PurposeThis study evaluates the extent of OOPE and CHE associated with institutional deliveries across Indian states and analyse regional variations using data from National Family Health Survey -5 (2019-21).ResultsThe findings reveal substantial inter-state and regional disparities in mean OOPE and CHE incidence, with socioeconomic and healthcare system factors significantly influencing these outcomes.ConclusionEffective interventions to reduce OOPE and CHS on deliveries can significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes thereby achieving healthcare equity in the country.