Estimation of the Economic Burden of COVID-19 in Abadan University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background: This study examines and estimates the economic burden of COVID-19 at Abadan University of Medical Sciences over two years of the pandemic (2020 - 2021) and two years post-pandemic (2022 - 2023). Objectives: The present study primarily aimed to analyze cost fluctuations and assess the impact of crisis management and operational efficiency on reducing these expenses. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted using data from the hospital information system, encompassing various cost categories, including medications, bed occupancy, diagnostic testing, paraclinical services, human resources, support services, and additional hospital expenditures. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 28) and Excel, focusing on cost variations across pandemic and post-pandemic periods and evaluating the role of crisis response strategies and efficiency improvements in these changes. Results: Findings indicate a notable reduction in healthcare costs during the post-pandemic period. The total economic burden of COVID-19 decreased from 12.7 billion Rials in 2020 - 2021 to 10.1 billion Rials in 2022 - 2023. Costs associated with medications, bed occupancy, testing, paraclinical services, human resources, and support services declined, attributed to effective crisis management, increased efficiency, successful vaccination programs, and adherence to health protocols. Conclusions: The declining economic burden of COVID-19 suggests greater sustainability in healthcare systems and underscores the importance of strategic crisis management. Enhanced resource efficiency and optimized crisis response significantly reduced expenses while improving overall healthcare service quality. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare administrators, enabling the development of more effective crisis management and efficiency-enhancing strategies.