Budget Trends and Financing Methods of the Health Sector in Iran: an Operational Proposal

Optimal allocation of funds to the health sector has always been one of the most important decisions facing authorities in this field. This study aims to examine the budgetary funds allocated to the health sector in Iran during the Sixth Development Plan. It also aims to present an operational proposal to compensate some shortages of the financial resources.

This was a descriptive and applied study. The period of the Sixth Development Plan (2017-2021) has been evaluated. In the present study, the trend of budget resources in the health sector, including core health programs (physicians, famil and electronic health record), and changes in resources compared to total inflation and health sector inflation were examined. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using Excel software.

The result showed that the allocated funds to medical sectors were about 76% on average during the period under review. The process of allocating special funds in 2017 has reduced from about 63% to 35% in the 2021 budget bill. Health sector inflation was lower than total inflation, and the funds’ growth was able to compensate for the inflation of the health sector in 2017, 2018, and 2021.

The first feature of allocated funds is instability, and medical-oriented is another one. Moreover, pivotal programs such as family physicians and EHR do not receive sufficient funds and are considered the priority. It is suggested that a specialized health investment company be established to finance feasible technical-financial and environmental projects.