Table 5.

Sub-themes and illustrative quotes under misaligned financial and policy structures weakening program sustainability

Sub-theme, n(% of participants)	Quotes
Low funding standards for nutritional breakfasts, 7 (26.9%)	“Due to rising prices, public health funding of three yuan and fifty cents, can’t meet the current cost of eggs, milk and bread” (A20).
Lack of support for inpatient lunch and dinner funding, 5 (19.2%)	“Hospitalization for two months during the dinner problem, the local government does not solve the problem, but also the hospital to bear, the hospital is under great pressure” (A5).
High economic burden of hospitalization for patients, 5 (19.2%)	“Patients are hospitalized for a minimum of two months, and if the medical cost is fifteen thousand, then the patient pays 10% out of pocket for at least fifteen thousand. If treated at home, they wouldn’t incur such costs” (A16).
Reimbursement issues for suspected case screenings, 3 (11.5%)	“There is currently no policy stating that screenings for suspected patients and close contacts are free. Each screening can cost at least four hundred yuan, which is unaffordable for a poor family.” (A3)
Lack of policy support for inpatient treatment, 6 (23.1%)	“There is no policy support for inpatient treatment. The Infectious Disease Prevention Law does not outline this, and we lack tangible measures, such as mandates for unwilling patients to seek isolation and treatment” (A26).