A methodology for developing a national health services system : case study - Iraq

Abstract

A review of the literature related to health services in developing countries reveals the lack of a comprehensive approach to health system planning at the national level. Accordingly, in this study, a methodology is developed and presented which promotes a systematic approach to developing a national health plan and related programs. The method is composed of three phases: analysis; plan development; and program development. The analysis phase involves collecting, structuring and analyzing data in order to identify problems and establish priorities among them. The plan development phase involves preparation of a set of general statements that define the direction and character of desired goals and objectives, and the selection of the means by which the objectives may be achieved. The program development phase involves planning the activities necessary for implementing the selected programs, and specifying how these activities are to be managed. Each phase produces well-defined products which are used as inputs to subsequent phases. The research focused on Iraq as a case study to illustrate the application of the national health planning methodology developed in this study. The study includes a proposal for restructuring the health care delivery system in Iraq as well as programmatic guidelines for planning primary care facilities.