Tanzania Loses $350M in GDP Because of Direct, Indirect Costs Associated With Malaria, Health Ministry Says

Tanzania loses approximately 3.4% of its annual gross domestic product, or about $350 million, because of direct and indirect costs associated with malaria, according to information released recently by Tanzania's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, East African Business Week reports. According to the information, the disease accounts for 30% of the national disease burden, as well as 43% of outpatient treatment, 35% of hospital admissions and 37% of hospital deaths among children under age five. The information also shows that malaria prevention and treatment requires personal and governmental spending. Government costs include health infrastructure maintenance, public-managed mosquito control, education and research. Individual and family costs resulting from malaria consist of money spent on insecticide-treated nets, malaria drugs, doctor's fees, transportation to health facilities and other forms of support for people who have malaria. In addition, the data indicate that individuals and families experience indirect costs associated with malaria. These include decreased productivity and lost income because of death or disease (Joseph, East African Business Week, 5/7).