Public-Private Partnerships: A Strategy for Effective Private Partnerships in Health Care Provision: A Policy Option

Abstract

Background and Aim: One of the most effective ways to cope with the financial constraints of health system, especially in developing countries, can be to engage the private sector in the form of a public-private partnership (PPP). Hence, the purpose of the present study is to introduce PPP as a general policy to increase the effective participation of the private sector in health system.

Methods: Initially, existing literature was reviewed to identify methods, areas, and experiences in PPP. Then, an expert panel was organized with researchers, professors and experts in health services management and policy making. At the beginning of the panel, the content obtained in the previous step was presented, and then the requirements of PPP implementation in healthcare was discussed.

Results: Considering the discussions, we can summarize the factors affecting PPP implementation in three topics: A) Private Sector Conditions: Sufficient number of eligible companies, significant financial gain for private companies; B) Public Sector Conditions: Principles, policies and indicators related to outsourcing of services, availability of transferable services, units or substations to private sector, lower cost of providing services in the private sector than the public sector; C) Background: Political, legal, economic and cultural conditions, successful experiences in other cities and provinces, support of the health system scientific body, common language and contract conditions.

Conclusion: Given the private sector’s capabilities and potentials to improve the quality and quantity of services provided, transparent PPP policies should be developed as an appropriate strategy for effective private sector participation in the provision of health care, and required infrastructure must be provided