Case Study on Iran: The Success of the Primary Health Care Network Farzaneh Roudi Population Reference Bureau

Global and national efforts International call: “Health for All” by 2000 Pilot projects in Iran: early 1970s International Conference on Primary Health Care: Alma Ata 1978 Iranian revolution: 1979

Major change to the health system + Ministry of Health Office of Higher Education for Medicine Ministry of Health and Medical Education

Primary Health Care Network District Health Network Management Urban Health Centers Health Station Health Station Health Station Rural Health Centers Health House Health House Health House District Health Center General Hospital Behvarz Training

Population increasing rapidly Millions Growing at 3.9% a year

National and global efforts War ended in 1988: reconstruction efforts Data collected: grim economic outlook National family planning program: 1989 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD): 1994

Fertility by province, 2000

Child mortality declined 5> deaths per 1,000 live-births

Maternal mortality declined Maternal deaths per 100,000 live-births

Family Planning Use Percent of married women (15-49) using family planning

Family planning use, 2000 Percent married women using contraception

Women’s literacy increased Percent of rural women who are literate

Population by sex and age, 2000

Conclusions Iran’s primary health care network is both elaborate (but not complex!) and simple at the same time. Other countries can benefit from the Iranian experience.