Objectives
To carry out the cost effectiveness analysis of the two intervention strategies used during the earthquake response namely Child Nutrition Week (CNW) and Routine Health Service to deliver vitamin A supplementation, Micronutrient Powders, Iron folate supplementation, treatment of acute malnutrition and counselling for breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
Methods
A primary survey was conducted to collect the data related to cost and effectiveness in 7 out of Earthquake Affected 14 priority districts. Costs are defined as the value of all inputs used to deliver the interventions. The outcomes of the two interventions strategies are considered as effectiveness indicators. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were used to measure of the additional cost per unit of effectiveness.
Results
Total cost during CNW was nearly 1.5 times higher than the routine health service delivery intervention strategy. All eight effectiveness indicators are better for CNW compared to Routine Health Service delivery. Numbers of beneficiaries in CNW are at least 108 percent higher than Routine Health Service. The Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios vary from NRs 244 to NRs 22630. The results suggest that all indicators have more than 85 percent probability of being high-cost high effectiveness indicating that if the resources are available, we can buy more effectiveness.
Conclusions
The Child Nutrition Week is a cost effective intervention strategy and policymakers should embrace it during emergency response.
