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Colombo, Sri Lanka – The escalating incidence of dengue fever in India and Sri Lanka is not only a grave health concern but also imposes a substantial economic burden on these South Asian nations, experts caution, estimating annual losses amounting to billions of dollars.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, poses significant challenges to both healthcare systems and households across the region. As temperatures rise and urbanization accelerates, the prevalence of dengue continues to soar, exacerbating the economic strain on affected communities.
In 2023, India reported nearly 95,000 cases of dengue, with 91 fatalities, while Sri Lanka recorded over 80,000 cases and 47 deaths by the end of the year. The relentless onslaught of the disease not only inflicts physical suffering but also inflicts severe financial hardships, particularly on families dependent on daily wages.
Seetha, a 60-year-old daily wage worker from Colombo, shares her agonizing ordeal battling dengue hemorrhagic fever. “I had a fever, body aches, and a relentless headache for four days before being admitted to the hospital. I was bedridden for seven days, unable to move, and the impact on my work was severe,” she recounts.
Seetha’s story mirrors the broader economic challenges faced by South Asian countries grappling with the economic fallout of dengue. Dr. Nayani P Weeerasinghe from the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka emphasizes the significant strain on healthcare systems and families, particularly those relying on daily wages.
The economic impact of dengue extends beyond direct medical expenses to indirect costs, including lost productivity and income. Ramanan Laxminarayan, an epidemiologist and economist, highlights the devastating financial toll of dengue-related hospitalizations, citing exorbitant medical bills that can push families into poverty.
The economic burden is particularly acute for households with limited financial resources. A study in southern Sri Lanka estimated direct medical costs per hospitalized dengue patient at over USD 200, with indirect costs further exacerbating the financial strain.
Despite efforts to control the spread of dengue, including health education campaigns and environmental initiatives, the economic impact of the disease remains profound. International collaboration and research efforts are crucial in developing effective strategies to mitigate the economic toll of dengue and alleviate the suffering of affected communities.
As Seetha reflects on her traumatic experience with dengue, she voices a sentiment shared by many across the region: “I am very scared of getting dengue again.” The harrowing ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the economic and public health challenges posed by this relentless disease.
(Reporting for this story was supported by the MSF-DNDi Grant on Neglected Tropical Diseases as part of MSF’s Without Borders Media Fellowship. The fellowship encourages independent, impartial, and neutral reporting on health and humanitarian crises.)
PTI SAR RPA
