Health Policy Making System in Islamic Republic of Iran: Review an Experience

Abstract

In Iran, the policy making process still has room for improvement. These include the opportunities for better co-ordina­tion of policies on medical education, health research and service provision; improvement of decision making mecha­nisms; a more evidence-based policy making process, and more involvement of stakeholders; reducing fragmentation of policy making foci; and establishing a qualified institution for system analyses and progress monitoring. The Health Pol­icy Council of Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) has to act as a consultant, and help develop evi­dence-based policy making and use of expert opinions. Every attempt has been made to define specific procedures for this matter. To achieve these, a project was designed to review the policy-making mechanisms within MOHME. The project resulted in a) a policy paper on how to make policies in MOHME; b) a particular framework (guideline) on how to de­velop a policy note (policy document); and c) a protocol on how to manage the Health Policy Council . As a result, some of the important national health policies and programs are reviewed in this council. In addition, evidence-based policies are defined with a consensus on stakeholders.