The estimated average financial cost per case (based on modelled estimates) of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) with complications is R65,826. The median length of in-patient days for SAM cases with Severe Acute Malnutrition is 30 days (7 days - stabilisation phase and 23 days - rehabilitation phase). The composition of the unit costs includes foodstuffs, medicines and hospital overheads.
Based on this estimated cost, the approximate costs of inpatient care for all children with SAM for the last four financial years are shown in the table below:
Financial years |
SAM inpatient admissions |
Approximate Costs |
2013-14 |
14,947 |
R491,950,611 |
2014-15 |
15,910 |
R523,645,830 |
2015-16 |
15,537 |
R511,369,281 |
2016-17 |
14,910 |
R490,732,830 |
END.