The role of commodification of health care in Reproducing Health Care inequality in the Context of Neoliberalism in Amana Regional Referral Hospital

Abstract

Background: This article examines how the commodification of healthcare contributes to the perpetuation of healthcare inequality. It focuses on how this process operates through money, the distinction between exchange value and use value, marketization, and the continuation of user fees.

Method: A critical ethnography approach was used. which included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations.

Theories: The study draws on two key theoretical frameworks: Marxian Political Economy (MPE), as explained by Harvey (2014), to explore the contradiction between use-value and exchange-value, and Farmer’s concept of Structural Violence (SV) (2003) to analyze the role of commodification in healthcare inequality. This perspective looks beyond the visible factors of inequality, such as education, poverty, and geography.

Results: The findings indicate that the commodification of healthcare plays a central role in driving healthcare inequality within hospitals.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the commodification of healthcare should not be overlooked in discussions about healthcare inequality, as it leads to significant harm, including death and poor health outcomes for many people