What Can We Do to Improve the Health Policy-Making Cycle in the Islamic Republic of Iran with a Good Governance Approach? Recommendations for the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Health and Food Security

Abstract

Background: The primary purpose of the health system is to promote equitable health in society. The aim of this study is to offer some recommendations for improving the Iranian health policy-making cycle with a good governance approach. Methods: The systematic review approach was employed to undertake this research. To track down articles published electronically between 2010 and 2021, a comprehensive search in the National Library's English databases, in December 2021, was conducted using the keywords such as public policy, policy, policy-making, health policy, good governance, health, and healthcare. In addition, the Persian equivalents of the aforementioned keywords were searched separately or in combination with Boolean operators (OR, AND) in databases such as Scopus, Ovid, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, IranMedex, Magiran, and SID to further pinpoint the desired articles. To evaluate and validate the quality of the selected articles, critical tools appropriate for the type of study were utilized (e.g., the SRQR tool for qualitative studies and the MMAT tool for mixed-methods studies), and finally, the research team conducted content analysis and categorized the findings. Results: Findings revealed that the health policy-making cycle is an extensive and intra-sectoral concern. Good governance in the health system results in specialized and individualized opportunities for better health and reduces inequality. To accomplish this purpose, it is necessary to emphasize cross-sectoral participation, social responsiveness, and transparent processes, and incorporate the viewpoints of experts and implementers of the health policy-making system. Furthermore, the health system's sovereignty and progress toward good governance should be evaluated, which results in effective policies and health justice. Conclusion: Considering the legal mission of the Supreme Council of Health and Food Security (the highest policy-making authority in the Ministry of Health), it is recommended that the council implement the practical recommendations of this research in actualizing and incorporating the good governance approach into the health policy-making cycle.