What is the private health sector?

In the context of service provision, the private health sector includes “Individuals and organizations that are neither owned nor directly controlled by government and which are involved in provision of health services. It can be classified into subcategories as ‘for-profit’ and ‘not-for-profit’, formal and informal, domestic and international.”

Why is the private health sector important?

In WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, the private health sector is very active, providing both ambulatory, hospital and medical educational services. It is also heavily involved in infrastructure development, as well as in the production and supply of health technologies.

In a recent assessment undertaken in the Region, the for-profit private health sector has been estimated to be sought for the provision of 53% of inpatient services and 66% of outpatient services

Due to its significant and growing role in health care provision, engaging the private health sector in service provision is increasingly being recognized as a catalytic and essential tool for achieving global health goals.