Author(s): Azhar Jan, Meenakshi Gupta and Sheikh Aftaab-Ul-Maroof
Objectives: The present study set out to investigate the following research question: "What is the healthcare spending pattern, and how does this evolving healthcare spending pattern contribute towards the achievement of SDG 3 in South Asian countries by 2030?" Methods: This study highlights the funding sources for healthcare in South Asia and compares the percentage changes of several healthcare financing components with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2002 to 2019. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression technique is used in this study. Results: Expenditure on healthcare by the government has increased overall, although private, out-of-pocket, and external costs have dropped. Components of healthcare expenditure except OOPE has a positive and significant impact on life expectancy. Conclusion: In South Asian countries, the growth rates of GHE, PHE, and OOPE have shown significant differences throughout time, as per the study.