Beyond Medical Expenses: The Economic Burden of Long-Term Caregiving for Motor Traffic Accident Patients at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Long-term care following motor traffic accidents (MTAs) can impose considerable economic demands on family members who support injured relatives. Although attention is commonly directed towards patients’ medical treatment, caregivers may also experience indirect costs associated with lost income, transport, food, and prolonged hospital attendance. This article examines how care-related costs affect family caregivers of MTA patients receiving long-term care at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Tanzania. The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design, using purposive sampling and in-depth interviews to explore caregivers’ experiences. Data were analysed thematically. The findings indicate that caregiving-related economic burden was experienced through interrupted employment and income-generating activities, recurring daily expenses, depletion of savings, borrowing, financial dependence, and disruption of household livelihoods. One participant explained that hospital attendance had substantially interrupted his business, while another described borrowing from relatives, neighbours, and church members to meet daily needs. These experiences demonstrate that the financial consequences of long-term caregiving extend beyond direct medical expenses. The article argues that economic hardship should be understood as a central dimension of caregiver burden rather than an isolated household problem. It recommends strengthening caregiver-sensitive social welfare services, improving information about available assistance, and considering transport, food, and income-related losses when planning support for families of injured patients.