Altruism: A solution to antibiotics treatment for indigent paediatric in-patient

Abstract

Background:The willingness to donate antibiotics for the treatment of indigent children among caregivers of paediatric in-patients has not been evaluated.

Methods:The focus group discussion was used for data collection. The caregivers’ willingness to donate was based  on (a) ability to give out their purchased drugs while their children are on treatment, (b) relinquish any remaining drugs at the  completion of their children treatment and (c) willingness to accept donated antibiotics.

Findings: All the respondents, 27 participants  were willing to donate for the care of indigent children. Twelve (44.4%) were willing to donate from their purchased antibiotics, if an  indigent patient on admission needs it, 4 (14.8%) were willing to donate for future care of indigent patients, 10 (37%) and 20 (74.1%) were  willing to relinquish any remaining untampered and any remaining reconstituted antibiotics respectively. Thirteen participants (48.1%)  accepted to allow starting treatment of their children with remnant already reconstituted antibiotics.

Conclusion: Altruistic willingness- to-donate antibiotics can exist in pediatric in-patient. This avenue should be explored to ensure availability of antibiotic for the treatment  of indigent children, especially in places where social health insurance is not a common practice.