An economic analysis of regional demand for hospital care: A case study of Malaysia

• Main Authors: Kanbur, M. G, Yahya, Khulida Kirana, Katib, Mohamed Nasser, Hwa, Yen Siew
• Format: Monograph
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Utara Malaysia 1992
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory; RA Public aspects of medicine
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/3497/1/M.G._KANBUR_-_An_Economic_Analysis_Of_Regional_Demand_For_Hospital_Care_%281992%29.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/3497/; http://lintas.uum.edu.my:8080/elmu/index.jsp?module=webopac-l&action=fullDisplayRetriever.jsp&szMaterialNo=000060655

This paper attempts to examine the demand for health services and to determine the effects of variables included in the demand functions. The study also analyses the interstate difference in providing health care facilities such as hospital beds. Cross-section data for 1984 and 1989 have been used.Mathematical equations to measure the responsiveness of bed availability and to demonstrate the linear relationship of bed availability and bed availability and to demonstrate the linear relationship of bed availability and beds used and admissions have been estimated. There exists a functional relationship between number of bed available and number of bed used. States with high number of beds available per 1000 population tend to have higher number of beds used but lower percentage of utilization. The bed availability is found to be more responsive to the number of admissions and bed used. A criterion for the supply of hospital care facilities is also suggested.