Vaccine preventable diseases surveillance in Nepal: How much does it cost?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Assessing the cost of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance is critical due to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) funding transition.
• GPEI support has aided VPD surveillance system development in many low-income nations, including Nepal.
• Limited data exists on the national costs of comprehensive VPD surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To calculate the economic and financial costs of Nepal's national VPD surveillance system.
• To analyze cost drivers and funding sources for VPD surveillance in Nepal.
• To inform financial strategies for VPD surveillance sustainability post-GPEI funding.

Main Methods:

• Economic and financial costs of VPD surveillance were assessed from July 2016 to July 2017.
• A sample of central and sub-national surveillance units was used, with sub-national costs extrapolated nationwide.
• Cost data was collected and analyzed to determine total economic and financial expenditures.

Main Results:

• Nepal's total annual economic cost for VPD surveillance was USD 4.81 million (USD 0.18 per capita).
• Total financial cost was USD 4.38 million (USD 0.16 per capita), with government and WHO as major funders.
• Personnel constituted the largest cost driver, accounting for 51% of the total economic cost.

Conclusions:

• Nepal's VPD surveillance system incurs significant costs, largely driven by personnel expenses.
• Sustainable financing models are essential for Nepal's VPD surveillance as GPEI funding decreases.
• Strategic financial planning is required to ensure the continuity of VPD surveillance in Nepal.