Participation of Iranian non-governmental organizations in health policy-making; barriers and strategies for development
International Journal of Health Governance
ISSN: 2059-4631
Article publication date: 30 December 2019
Issue publication date: 2 March 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The effectiveness of non-governmental organization (NGO) participation in the healthcare sector has been demonstrated globally. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the status of Iranian NGOs’ contribution to health policy-making, the barriers to and strategies for developing their contribution.
Design/methodology/approach
In this qualitative study, 25 participants were recruited from health-related NGOs in Tabriz, Iran. Semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted. Furthermore, a set of relevant documents were collected and their contents evaluated. The text of documents and interviews were analyzed using a thematic (deductive–inductive) approach using NVivo software.
Findings
Most NGO activity has been in the area of providing services, whereas the least amount of activity has been in the domain of policy-making. Factors that were influential for NGO participation in policy-making were divided into three categories: those related to government, to civil society and within NGOs themselves. The primary barriers to participation in policy-making were related to government and the way that NGOs operated. Recommendations include the production of supportive law, financial aid to NGO and infrastructure that facilitates NGO participation.
Practical implications
Financial support from the government and legislation of supportive laws could help to realize the potential of NGOs.
Originality/value
No such research has been undertaken before to evaluate what activities health-related NGOs undertake, their contribution in health policy-making and obstacles and facilitators of this contribution. NGOs can play a key role in ensuring accountability, transparency and empower citizens to demand basic health services from government.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the Student Research Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The authors would like to thank all the study participants who willingly gave their time. Also, the authors thank Polly Compston for editing the manuscript.
Citation
Khodayari-Zarnaq, R., Kakemam, E., Arab-Zozani, M., Rasouli, J. and Sokhanvar, M. (2020), "Participation of Iranian non-governmental organizations in health policy-making; barriers and strategies for development", International Journal of Health Governance, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 46-56. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-07-2019-0056
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited