POPULATION: 31,600
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCTION: $1.9 billion
SAN MARINO
TOTAL HEALTH EXPENDITURES: 6.5%
TOTAL HEALTH EXPENDITURE PER CAPITA: $3,847
Limited information is provided on the health system of San Marino. The organizational structure of San Marino’s health care system is governed by an autonomous government body called Segreteria di Stato per la Sanita’e la Sicurezza Sociale (the Secretariat of State for Health and Social Security) (SSHSS) (Cetani, 2002). The SSHSS is responsible for health care planning, but decisions are adopted by the Congress of State or by the Great and General Council. The SSHSS works collaboratively with the Consigilio di Sanita’ (Council of Health) and the Consiglio dei Sanitari (Health Officer’s Council) in supporting the general policies and priorities of the government. San Marino’s health care system is highly centralized and regulated because the government is both the main provider and third-party payer, health care is provided using an integrated model (Cetani, 2002).
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 79.3 years
INFANT MORTALITY RATE: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births
OBESITY RATE IN ADULTS: Unknown
PRACTICING PHYSICIANS: 5.1/1,000 population
+ ADVANTAGES
The advantages to San Marino’s health care system are: a universal public health system based on equity and solidarity; health care is perceived as a right and free care is provided at the point of service; and San Marino’s Segreteria di Stato per la Sanita’e la Sicurezza Sociale (the Secretariat of State for Health and Social Security) audits and budgets its health related finances annually (Cetani, 2002).
- DISADVANTAGES
The disadvantages to San Marino’s health care system are: controlling health care expenditures with in regards to San Marino’s aging population and increase in sudden purchase of pharmaceuticals; low ratio of physician to patients (1:1,500); and its need to adapt to advanced medical technologies (Cetani, 2002).