Unlocking Transparency, Building Trust: A Policy Brief for a Developing Health System

Background: Transparency is fundamental to effective governance, yet Iran's health system faces significant transparency issues due to political and cultural obstacles. Objectives: To propose policy recommendations for enhancing transparency in Iran's health system. Methods: This policy brief is grounded in a qualitative study conducted from 2022 to 2024. Results: Lack of transparency diminishes efficiency and social capital, impeding the success of health reforms. Essential principles for enhancing transparency include political commitment, strategic resource allocation, and fostering a culture of openness. Effective policies should tackle systemic barriers, utilize existing infrastructure, and address the root causes of non-transparency. Conclusions: The significance of transparency will continue to grow. While public demand drives this momentum, policymakers must proactively manage risks to prevent unintended consequences. These policy recommendations aim to enhance governance, accountability, and trust, providing a model adaptable to developing countries.