ANNOUNCEMENTS
This study analyzes data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) to examine the factors influencing out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) for maternity care in India. The study focuses on how OOPE is affected by delivery mode, delivery location, socioeconomic level, and regional differences. The results show that private hospital births and caesarean section (C-section) deliveries considerably raise OOPE. While poorer households bear a comparatively greater financial hardship, wealthier ones experience higher OOPE. Furthermore, OOPE is typically lower in rural locations, indicating differences in healthcare expenditures and accessibility. These findings highlight the need for legislative initiatives to control healthcare expenditures, increase access to reasonably priced maternity care, and alleviate geographical and socioeconomic inequalities. The study's conclusion includes a review of the constraints and consequences of policy.
