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Government facilitates information-gathering and sharing about all elements of service provision in the health system

The Progression Pathway for Governance of Mixed Health Systems

Effective governance of the private health sector is critical for achieving national health goals, yet it remains underprioritized in many contexts. Recent reviews underscore the need for a clear vision, strengthened institutional capacity, and the strategic use of synergistic tools—such as aligning regulation with contracting—to improve system performance. Transparent and inclusive policy processes, alongside greater public sector accountability, are essential to prevent corruption and ensure legitimacy. The governance choices made today will shape tomorrow’s health systems—either paving the way to universal health coverage (UHC) or reinforcing barriers to it.

To support countries in navigating this complex landscape, WHO has developed the Progression Pathway for Governance of Mixed Health Systems. This tool is designed to help governments more effectively govern mixed systems and harness the private sector's contributions toward achieving UHC.

Analytical Tool

Understanding the private health sector in Tunisia

This report summarizes the operational environment of the private health sector in Tunisia. The assessment was part of a regional assessment project of the private health sector in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between 2019-2022.

Governance of the private healthcare sector: A scoping review of approaches, effectiveness, and enablers

The private sector’s role in healthcare is growing across many settings. However, the sector remains under-governed in many contexts, particularly in low- and middle income countries. Further, the understanding of the evidence base relating to private sector governance remains inadequate, with limited information available on the effectiveness of various approaches, and factors which facilitate or hinder their functioning. This scoping review was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address this gap by synthesising the available literature on the governance of private healthcare financing and delivery.

Understanding the private health sector in Sudan

This report summarizes the operational environment of the private health sector in Sudan. The assessment was part of a regional assessment project of the private health sector in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between 2019-2022.

Understanding the private health sector in Yemen

This report summarizes the operational environment of the private health sector in Yemen. The assessment was part of a regional assessment project of the private health sector in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between 2019-2022.

Understanding the private health sector in Libya

This report summarizes the operational environment of the private health sector in Libya. The assessment was part of a regional assessment project of the private health sector in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between 2019-2022.

Understanding the private health sector in Syria

This report summarizes the operational environment of the private health sector in the Syrian Arab Republic. The assessment was part of a regional assessment project of the private health sector in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between 2019-2022.

Understanding the private health sector in Iran

This report summarizes the operational environment of the private health sector in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The assessment was part of a regional assessment project of the private health sector in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between 2019-2022.

Understanding the private health sector in Lebanon

This report summarizes the operational environment of the private health sector in Lebanon. The assessment was part of a regional assessment project of the private health sector in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between 2019-2022.

Data for Governance

Protocol: using data to drive governance

This study seeks to identify what data and information is currently being collected by governments and how this is used for governance of the private sector in health. Information will consider routine and other data sources, as well as innovations in data science and technology as part of the information landscape.

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