Essay on Resource Allocation Challenges

Introduction

In the recent decade, the health of individuals has become a key component in our day to day life. In many cases, people are detected with various diseases hence making them be less productive on their duties. Moreover, some of the infections can lead to death depending on their mode of transmission. Different ways in which diseases get into one's body and the timely detection define the length of life expectancy. However, even though health care facilities role to detect, prevent and treat certain diseases may be challenged due to the budget in the allocation of resources.

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Considering health care system, it is impossible to make fair and just decisions during resource allocation. Eichler et al. 2004, argues that, due to budgetary constraints, it is become challenging for health practitioners to detect, prevent and treat certain diseases. Gibson et al. 2005, states that sometimes the benefits resulting from certain medicine are maximum, however, without justifying the cost. According to BBC News. (2018), Avastin cancer drug can add six weeks to the affected patients costing PS21,000 per individual. In a real sense, many individuals cannot raise that amount of money hence depending on local authorities for support. Therefore, it is advisable for decision makers to put in place cost effectiveness awareness while allocating budgets for fair treatment.

Through public participation in decision making, the priorities put in place leads to fair allocation of resources. Mullen 1999 argues that the collective collaboration between citizens and the users can create choices which affect the variety of assistance to certain individuals. Saltman et al. 1998, states that, in most cases, decisions are being made by management hence leading to an unfair distribution of cost. According to BBC News. (2018), the chief executive of NICE defends the organization by stating that independent committee has the mandate to justify the cost for Avastin. However, if there was public participation when arriving at the cost of the drug, many individuals could have been able to go through cancer treatment without depending on others.

Conclusion

In brief, resource allocation in health centers has been faced with many challenges. However, through carrying out cost-effectiveness analysis and allowing public participation can lead to fair treatment among individuals. When considering benefits that come about with certain drug, it is advisable to justify its cost in order to ensure everyone can be able to access the required medication. Hence, there will be fairness in detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases.

References

BBC News. (2018). NICE confirms NHS cancer drug ban. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-11736595 [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].

Eichler, H.G., Kong, S.X., Gerth, W.C., Mavros, P. and Jonsson, B., 2004. Use of costeffectiveness analysis in healthcare resource allocation decision-making: how are cost-effectiveness thresholds expected to emerge?. Value in health.

Gibson, J.L., Martin, D.K. and Singer, P.A., 2004. Setting priorities in health care organizations: criteria, processes, and parameters of success. BMC Health Services Research, 4(1), p.25.

Gibson, J.L., Martin, D.K. and Singer, P.A., 2005. Evidence, economics and ethics: resource allocation in health services organizations. Healthc Q.

Mullen, P.M., 1999. Public involvement in health care priority setting: an overview of methods for eliciting values. Health expectations.

Saltman, R.B., Figueras, J. and Sakellarides, C., 1998. Critical challenges for health care reform in Europe. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).