Developing a model for partnership of non-governmental organizations in Iran’s health system

Today, one of the ways to provide healthcare services and achieve the goals of health systems is the participation of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the health sector. The purpose of this study is to develop a model for the partnership of NGOs in Iran’s health system.

This qualitative study was conducted in three consecutive stages, between 2018-2021. In the first phase, by reviewing documents, literature, and interviews with 32 key informants from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, universities of medical sciences, medical scientific associations, and health-related NGOs, using content analysis, the current status of the partnership of NGOs in Iran’s health system was examined. In the second stage, the initial model for NGOs partnership in Iran’s health system was extracted and surveyed by an expert panel consensus. In the third stage, after two rounds of the Delphi technique with a consensus of more than 75%, the final model was approved.

Policy-making and planning, capacity building, provision of resources and facilities, organization and coordination, participation, and control and evaluation, are the six main dimensions of the model of NGOs’ partnership in Iran's health system.

It is expected that the main dimensions and sub-components of this model can help to develop and strengthen the role of NGOs in the Iranian health system. More participation of the NGOs in the health system facilitating the achievement of the goals of the health system and is effective to strengthen and improve public health.