The Impact of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) on the Public Health Sector

Changes at the economic and social level affect the public health sector. In the last few years, the need for quality health services among citizens has increased while worldwide efforts are being made to find funding resources. There is a need to find new mechanisms to provide these services to those who need them. One of the most important mechanisms is public–private partnerships (PPPs). The main goal of PPPs is to implement projects for the benefit of citizens in a short time with private funding and to transfer operational costs from the public sector to the private sector. PPPs have advantages and disadvantages. In some countries where the PPP model has been implemented in public health, it has been successful, but in others, it has not. This paper examines public–private partnerships (PPPs) and their application in public health through a literature review, qualitative research, and data analysis using in-depth interviews. The interviewees were four from a hospital's human resources department in Greece. This research shows that PPPs may contribute to the health sector because the private sector can provide capital, know-how, and experience, and this study sheds light on further research. However, there is still a need for a clear institutional framework and audit mechanisms. Implications for policymakers are also discussed.