Preference-based universal health coverage for climate-resilient health systems in coastal Bangladesh: Application of Choice experiment approach

Effective health measures are required to minimize loss of life and health suffering caused by the devastating climate-induced diseases. Recognizing the importance of preference-based universal health coverage (UHC) is essential for creating equitable and quality healthcare services accessible to everyone. However, current valuation practices of UHC for climate-induced diseases remain limited. This study offers empirical proof that the benefit package within hypothetical UHC schemes directly influences the likelihood of enrolment. Additionally, this study aimed to measure the economic benefits of UHC. Using a cluster sampling technique, 716 respondents were selected from 22 villages in three coastal districts of Khulna division. The study employed conditional logit, nested logit, and random parameter logit models to identify the essential attributes of UHC. The results showed that healthcare service availability, type of healthcare provides, renewal discount, special support for vulnerable groups, preventive services, nature of treatment coverage, number of climate-induced disease covered, and annual payment for UHC have a statistically significant impact on the likelihood of selecting an alternative scenario of UHC. In this context, age, monthly income, family size, and educational background play influential roles. The results of marginal willingness to pay (MWTP), consumer surplus (CS), and present value (PV) indicate that coastal residents receive greater healthcare benefits from the UHC, while investors and/or government earn more revenue from the UHC scheme.