Caregivers' Strategies for Managing Medical Expenses for Children with Epilepsy in Ubungo Municipality, Tanzania

Caring for a child with epilepsy may involve recurring medical expenses and additional costs that place pressure on household resources. These expenses may include medication, clinical consultations, transportation to health facilities, food during hospital visits, childcare assistance, and other daily needs associated with care. This article explores how caregivers of children with epilepsy cope with medical expenses in Ubungo Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Drawing on a qualitative study, the article examines caregivers’ experiences of financial pressure and the strategies they use to maintain care while meeting competing household obligations. The findings are organised into five themes: medical expenses and household financial pressure; household budgeting and expenditure reduction; health insurance and external financial assistance; family and community support; and lost income and competing caregiving responsibilities. The findings show that caregivers use several interconnected strategies, including reallocating household resources, reducing non-essential expenditure, borrowing from trusted relatives, using health insurance, and seeking assistance from social networks. However, these strategies do not necessarily eliminate financial pressure because assistance may be unreliable and caregiving can reduce opportunities to earn income. The article highlights the importance of considering both direct healthcare costs and the wider financial circumstances of families caring for children with epilepsy.