Abstract :
Most countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have witnessed a rapid expansion of the private health sector over past decades. According to information available in some countries of the Region, an estimated 70% of the EMR population seeks health care from private providers and the percentage of health-care services from the private sector used by the poorest quintile ranges between 11% and 81%. It is increasingly recognized that the private sector has an important role to play in contributing to countries’ health system goals, notably in the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC), which ensures that everyone who needs health services is able to get them, without undue financial hardship. Yet many challenges remain. The range of services provided by the private sector is variable, standards are questionable, regulation is poor and there is insufficient information about the financial burden to the users of these services. Enforcement of service delivery quality standards in the private sector is among the biggest challenges faced by governments and ministries of health in the Region. Ways are needed to partner effectively with the private sector, by strengthening public–private partnerships (PPPs) for health-care provision, so that its contribution can be better harnessed.
