Financing the lithotriptor

Abstract

In developed economies such as the US, health care may consume up to 14% of the GNP. The State and private health insurance provide for the higher levels of expenditure required for costly medical equipment such as the lithotriptor. In developing economies health care is very much the responsibility of the private sector. Given the prevalent low income levels, health care equipment which requires high capital expenditure cannot be commercially viable if the charges for therapy are to be kept reasonably within the reach of the common man. Some form of financial assistance for purchase of the lithotriptor is therefore required.