Private Sector Health Partnership Vital: Health Min.

Tehran, Sept 11, IRNA - The cooperation of public and private sectors in improving hospital services will help reduce the cost of treatment and create an amenable atmosphere for patients, said Iranˈs health minister. Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi added that public involvement in health projects is of high significance, adding that successful experiences have been reported in this respect. He stressed that the government should offer special incentives to attract more investors to the health sector. “Presently, 50 percent of hospital buildings are over 50 years old,” he said, adding that the quality of medical services offered to patients in such hospitals is undesirable. Hashemi noted that the state-run sector is incapable of resolving the problem alone. Therefore the participation of the private sector in such activities is necessary. The minister said the profit rate of 25 percent has been projected for investors in such projects, pointing out that the measure will help reduce the government monopoly over the health sector. Hashemi said the first such agreement was signed with the private sector last week. He hoped that more investors will be attracted to the health sector in future, stressing that the Health Ministry will welcome the participation of investors in hospital construction and operation projects. “Although a number of hospitals have been built in large cities, especially Tehran, in the past 40 years, none of the projects has been developed steadily during the period,” he said. Hosseinali Shahriari, the head of Majlis Health Commission, said prevention of diseases will help reduce the cost borne by hospitals for treating patients. He said the second phase of Health Overhaul Plan pertains to hygiene improvement. “The collaboration of related organizations is a prerequisite for achieving the objectives set in this regard” he said. Shahriari noted that cardiovascular disease, roads accidents and cancer are the main causes of death in Iran, pointing out that implementation of supportive plans will help solve the problem to a large extent. The lawmaker noted that 10 percent of the revenues earned by the government from implementing the Subsidy Reform Plan, valued at $160 billion, have been allocated to Health Overhaul Plan. Shahriari said 1 percent of value added tax, valued at $1 billion, has also been earmarked for the plan. He said fruitful efforts made in the health sector has led to a decrease in the cost of treatment. Earlier, Hashemi said the ground is prepared for the implementation of the plan’s second phase. He noted that infrastructures required for the successful implementation of the plan have been established. Hashemi said the execution of Health Overhaul Plan, which is among the most outstanding plans undertaken by the government, has helped increase people’s satisfaction with the health system./end