Iran towards universal health coverage: The role of human resources for health

Abstract

Given the key role of adequate, skilled, well-trained, and motivated human resources for health (HRH) in achieving universal health coverage (UHC), this manuscript aimed to investigate the current situation of Iran HRH after the implementation of the recent Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in accordance with UHC analytical framework using 4 domains of availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality. Conflicts of interest and multiple interventions from different sectors have controversial and sometimes negative effects on the health workforce. Thus, to achieve the objectives of UHC from the perspective of human resources, Iran needs unified governance and comprehensive planning. Also, the effects of health system interventions on health workforce should be assessed before implementation.