Showing 4 results for Iranian Health System
Behzad Damari, , Narges Rostamigooran, Mohammad Hossein Salarianzadeh, Sheyda Malekafzali,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: For achievement of equity in the population health the implementation of health in all policies is essential. The most crucial intervention in this approach is inter-sectoral collaboration.
Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study based on the national policy framework. Data were collected using literature review, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with the stakeholders. The results were categorized into three sections, namely, situational analysis and factors affecting it, developing goals and objectives, and requirements and interventions.
Results: Currently inter-sectoral collaboration in the Iranian health system potentially allows to have health in all policies policy in terms of explicit legislative support, national macro-policies/upstream documents and organizational structure. It will require proper planning as regards designing and institutionalizing appropriate mechanisms for collaboration, as well as cultural and skills capacity building, for stakeholders within and outside the health sector.
Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used in annual operational planning of the High Council of Health and Food Security secretariat.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Mahdieh Heydari, Sajjad Ramandi, Mahya Abbasi,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The health system financing is the process of collecting, pooling and managing financial resources and purchasing healthcare services. Health financing plays an important role in achieving the health system goals and objectives specially universal health coverage. The aim of this study was to strategically analyze the Iranian health financing system and recommend strategies to strengthen it.
Materials and Methods: Using the scoping review method, all published studies about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Iranian health financing system were searched in eight databases including "PubMed", "Scopus", "Science Direct", "Embase", "ProQuest", "SID" and "Magiran", as well as the "National Database of Medical Science Theses" and two search engines, namely, "Google" and "Google scholar". Finally, 29 studies were selected and analyzed using the framework analysis method and MAXQDA software.
Results: Extended health insurance coverage, reduced out-of-pocket payments following the national health transformation plan, and increased healthcare tariffs were the strengths of the Iranian health financing system. On the other hand, regressive financing, high out-of-pocket payments and increased number of health insurance companies were the weaknesses of Iran’s health financing system. Political sanctions, financial crises and increased healthcare demands were the threats, while supportive laws, the NGO’s financial support, increased number of health care organizations and modern technologies were among the important opportunities for the Iranian health financing system. Increasing the health system financial resources through prepayments, structural and policy unification of health insurance system, health service tariff reform and enhancing health system efficiency and healthcare services quality are essential to strengthen the Iranian health financing system.
Conclusion: The Iranian health financing system is not resilient and faces several challenges. The health system policy-makers and senior managers should adopt the recommended strategies to strengthen the national health financing system.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Rahim Khodayari, Mehdi Abbasi, Fereshte Karimi,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The health financing system is the process of collecting, pooling and managing financial resources to purchase health services. Sustainable financing of the Iranian health system is crucial for achieving universal health coverage. The purpose of this study was to identify strategies for sustainable financing of the Iranian health system.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using the scoping review in 2020. The following databases and search engines were searched systematically between 21.03.2002 and 21.09.2020 to find studies related to sustainable financing strategies for the Iranian health system: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase, Magiran, Iranmedex and SID databases, and two search engines; i.e., "Google" and "Google scholar”. Finally, 47 studies were selected and analyzed using the MAXQDA software and the framework analysis method.
Results: A total of 40 strategies were identified for strengthening the sustainability of Iran's health financing system, which were grouped into three categories: collecting funds, pooling funds and purchasing health services. The most frequently cited strategies for sustainable financing of the Iranian health system were the following: increasing the health share of gross domestics product, expanding tax revenues, pre-payment methods of health financing, strengthening public-private partnership, increasing the efficiency of the health system, reducing health system costs, consolidating insurance funds, eliminating insurance overlaps, value-based health service tariffs, optimizing health services support packages, and fixed payment methods based on the performance of the health service providers.
Conclusion: The Iran's health financing system must be strengthened in such a way as to make it possible to collect, pool and manage sufficient financial resources to be used to purchase health services for the people to ultimately ensure universal health coverage leading to the promotion of the public’s health.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Mahya Abbasi, Mahdieyh Heydari,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (9-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The health financing system is "the process of collecting, pooling and managing financial resources and purchasing healthcare services”. Iran's health financing system is facing challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Iranian health financing system.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study retrospectively evaluated the health financing system of Iran between 2000 and 2019 using archival data. Data were collected from the World Bank website and analyzed using the Excel software.
Results: Iran's health expenditure per capita increased by 3.7% annually between 2000 and 2019 and reached $868 (purchasing power parity) in 2019. Iran's total health expenditure increased from $32 billion in 2000 to $72 billion (purchasing power parity) in 2019 (5.9% annual increase). Iran accounted for about 0.6% of the world total health expenditure in 2019. In that year about 6.7% of the country's gross domestic product was spent on health, the global average being 9.8%, while the general government health expenditure (% of the then current health expenditure) in Iran and the world were 49.5% and 59.8%, respectively. Out-of-pocket expenditure (% of the then current health expenditure) decreased in the last decade in Iran, reaching 39.5% in 2019, compared to 18% worldwide.
Conclusion: Iran’s health system costs are increasing at a faster rate than the growth of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The country’s health expenditure (% of GDP) and, as a result, the general government health expenditure (% of general government expenditures) has decreased and out-of-pocket expenditure (% of current health expenditures) has increased. Therefore, reforms should be implemented to strengthen the country's health financing system.
