In October 2018, the 65th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean endorsed the Framework for Action on Effective
Engagement with the Private Health Sector to Expand Service Coverage for Universal Health Coverage. The Regional Committee also adopted
resolution EM/RC65/R.3(D), which urges Members States to engage with the PHS to deliver a UHC priority benefits package. The resolution further
called on the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean to support country assessments that would identify challenges and opportunities related to the engagement of private care. 

Based on this resolution, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean developed a PHS assessment tool and used it to assess the PHS
in 15 countries and territories. The tool has two main components: a desk review and qualitative expert interviews that cover five pillars pertinent to the PHS operational environment: governance, financing, access, quality control and public–private partnerships (PPPs).