BACKGROUND: Iranian health nongovernmental ORGANIZATIONS ((NGOS)) could play a variety of roles at many levels of Iran's health system, but their participation in the health sector is far from ideal. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify practical solutions for increasing the role and function of (NGOS) in the Iranian health system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted between 2020 and 2021 in Tehran, Iran. The data for this study were gathered through 32 in-depth semi-structured interviews with 11 managers from the Ministry of Health as well as from Iran and Tehran universities of medical sciences and 21 Chief executive officers and directors of health (NGOS). Data were analyzed by the content analysis approach using the MAXQDA 10 software. RESULTS: The facilitators for expanding the function and roles of (NGOS) in Iran's health system are classified into two groups of legal and structural mechanisms. “The existence of mandatory laws, ” “government support for (NGOS), ” “the formulation of standard strategic planning and goals, ” “the establishment of a database and a network of (NGOS), ” and “the establishment of independent organizational units as the connectors and coordinators of (NGOS)' affairs in the public sector” are the critical facilitators for the improvement of (NGOS)' roles in Iran's health system. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, only limited measures and efforts have been made to improve (NGOS)' roles and participation in the Iranian health system,at the same time, (NGOS)' participation in the health sector is far from ideal. Iranian health (NGOS) are at the beginning of this route, and they would inevitably require various legislative and structural mechanisms to succeed.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ((NGOS)), are manifestation of trust and moderators of macroeconomic and political activities, but if they enter without a plan or their activities interfere with each other or with the government, they may become a threat to society. In Harandi neighborhood (former Darvazeh Ghaar) in Tehran, due to the presence of numerous social issues, several (NGOS) have entered to reduce the problems. Despite their achievements of these teams, the interferences and parallel work with governmental plans have resulted in new problems. This research through theoretical studies, observations, in-depth and semi-structured interviews, as well as the formation of focus groups with neighborhood residents and (NGOS) introduce new theoretical approaches in the field of cooperation space of civil institutions. These are implemented based on three levels of consensus (values), conflict (contradictory regime of truth) and interpretive (symbols). It seeks to provide the requirements for creating a cooperation space among residents of Harandi neighborhood. According to the model, the most important features include the existence of areas of convergence in spite of the increasing competition between them, the dominance of commonsense views over scientific attitudes, the dispersion of normative sources about human rights, psychological principles, dominance of material and external values such as attention to salary and income, less attention to emotional values such as interaction with other (NGOS), less attention to cognitive values such as creativity and learning new knowledge.

Objectives: The formation and expansion of (NGOS) inside and among different countries has been the center of pondering and consideration of thinkers, with the aim of support and protection the rights of human being and nature, real and organized participation of people in determining their own destiny for improving the social life conditions.This article evaluates the theoretical functions of (NGOS) with emphasis on (NGOS) in Iran and an specific attention on environmental (NGOS).Method: This is a descriptive study and its data has been gathered by documents and interview with 50 active members of the environmental (NGOS). The data has been coded in order to analyze the main social, economic, political and legal problems facing these ORGANIZATIONS.Finding: The findings show the growth of (NGOS) in Iran. Although this growth in quantitative regard is admirable, but the necessary data for the evaluation of their operation and function is not available. Concentration on the functions of the environmental (NGOS) indicates the structural and organizational problems in social, economic, political and legal dimensions of these ORGANIZATIONS. Ambiguity in laws and regulations of these ORGANIZATIONS, weakness in managerial skills controlling them, government and politically interest groups interference in their activities are among the most important problems of these ORGANIZATIONS.Results: Along with the theoretical grounds governing the behavior of (NGOS) in the world, this article tried to evaluate the position and function of (NGOS) in Iran. The recognition of structural and organizational limitations governing the environmental (NGOS) in Iran as an example of these kinds of studies and the manner of expert removal of these limitations can lead to positive functioning of these (NGOS) and provide suitable conditions in the social system in order to support these (NGOS) in general.

In recent years, the complexity and diversity of health-related factors, changing disease patterns in communities, the impact of socio-economic factors on health, and the multifaceted challenges of health systems have increased the participation of nongovernmental ORGANIZATIONS ((NGOS)) in health activities and programs. Driven by a sense of responsibility, (NGOS), as voluntary, independent, NON-GOVERNMENTAL, non-profit, and non-political institutions, perform various activities to solve problems and improve societies. 1 The involvement of (NGOS) in patient education and health literacy, an area often neglected in the health systems, has yet to be utilized despite the wide range of activities of these ORGANIZATIONS in the health sector. Despite the rapid advancements in medical science and technology, health systems still need to improve in educating patients and the community. 2, 3 (NGOS) can close this gap by using their resources and capacities to educate diverse groups understandably. According to the health status, demographic characteristics, education, and socio-economic conditions of the target group, (NGOS) tailor complex medical and health information to be understandable for different people. They help patients understand their health conditions, available treatments, side effects, preventive measures, and diagnostic and therapeutic processes. 4 Introducing patients to relevant ORGANIZATIONS such as care centers, drug supply centers, and diagnostic and treatment clinics is another educational activity of (NGOS),consequently, the educational activities of (NGOS) enhance the patients’ informed and active participation in health-related decision-making and lead to better treatment adherence, reduce hospital readmissions, and improved quality of life for many patients.

BACKGROUND: With the outbreak of the COVID‑, 19 virus crisis worldwide, including Iran, the need for corona prevention and treatment has become a national priority. With many businesses closed in the wake of COVID‑, 19 and job losses and declining incomes, vulnerable individuals’,and families’,access to the minimum wage and healthcare facilities is falling, and their health is exposed to a great risk. In Iran, a significant number of vulnerable groups are supported by nongovernmental ORGANIZATIONS ((NGOS)). This study is designed to understand the performance of (NGOS) after the onset of the COVID‑, 19 crisis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out based on qualitative research between June and September 2020 in Tehran. This study was conducted using individual interviews with 33 managers and experts of 24 active (NGOS) providing services to vulnerable groups and a member of an NGO network. Data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Two main themes of service initiatives were extracted: (a) service initiatives to protect the target population against COVID‑, 19 infection and its aftermath and (b) management initiatives to retain staff, finance, and adapt the organization to crisis situations. Service initiatives included five categories of health service initiatives, livelihood, employment, education, and leisure initiatives, while organizational management initiatives include human resource management, financial management, and communication with ORGANIZATIONS. CONCLUSION: The COVID‑, 19 breadth and its special features have set it apart from other crises and have led (NGOS) to work hard on several fronts to care for the most vulnerable people against the epidemic and its consequences and maintain the performance of their ORGANIZATIONS. The unique role of cyberspace has made it one of the definitive pillars of the activities of (NGOS), not only during the epidemic but also after its end.

Introduction: NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ((NGOS)) play a vital role in accurate disaster management. This study aimed to Investigate factors affecting the participation of (NGOS) in disaster management in Iran. Method: This qualitative study was conducted via content analysis approach. This study comprised 32 participants, including four managers of municipalities and governorates, four health ministry managers, five managers of Red Crescent Society, five faculty members of the university who work on disaster management, and fourteen managers/secretaries of (NGOS). They had knowledge or practical experience in disaster management. The abovementioned people were interviewed. The data were collected through purposive sampling, which continued until data saturation was reached. Results: Factors affecting the participation of (NGOS) in disaster management were classified into 4 main categories and 14 subcategories, including organizational and managerial, field and operational, social and cultural, and policymaking factors. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, as multiple (NGOS) take part in responding to disasters and performing relief operations, establishing a unified command and supervision system for effective coordination and collaborations among (NGOS) and other stakeholders is highly suggested. The future national plans and strategies of disaster management need to consider the supportive rules and reform inappropriate legal barriers to (NGOS)’,participation in disaster management activities. All ORGANIZATIONS involved in disaster response must play a vital role in making disaster management decisions for every country to consider all important aspects and issues.

In this research, we have tried to show whether the situations of the factors effective on empowering the (NGOS) active in the Welfare Purview of Mazandaran Province is favourable.For this purpose, the independent variables-structural factors, functional factors and contextual factors-were studied, and in order to attain the research goal, we designed a questionnaire and collected the data, which were analyzed by using SPSS software. The research showed that the situation of the factors effective on empowering the (NGOS) of the Welfare Purview of Mazandaran Province is favourable.