01779nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002800055653002500083653001100108653002600119653001600145653001700161653001300178653002300191653002400214653001900238653001100257653001200268100001600280245006100296856007900357300001200436490000700448050001700455520099100472022001401463       2012                            d  c2012 Dec10aDelivery of Health Care10aDeveloping countries10aHumans10aMedicine, Traditional10aMiddle East10aPatient Care10aPolitics10aPrescription Drugs10aPrimary Health Care10aPrivate Sector10aTravel10aWarfare1 aKronfol N M00aDelivery of health services in Arab countries: a review.  uhttp://applications.emro.who.int/emhj/v18/12/EMHJ_2012_18_12_1229_1238.pdf  a1229-380 v18  aKRONFOL 20123 a<p>This paper reviews the essential components of health care delivery systems in Arab countries and their development over the past 3 decades. The changes and challenges which evolved during the last half of the 20th century have had a significant impact on health systems and on health outcomes. An adequate network of hospitals and primary health care facilities has been established in most Arab countries of the Region. The increased participation of civil society has impacted positively on health systems. However, the main challenge is represented by the move towards market economies. In many developing economies, macroeconomic reforms have often necessitated cuts in public spending on social sectors. Cost-sharing policies have been implemented in order to compensate for diminishing government budgets allocated to health. However, this is not to minimize the enormous strides that have been made in all countries nor the important challenges that need to be addressed.</p>  a1020-3397