Health policy is defined as the decisions, plans, and actions undertaken to achieve specific healthcare goals within a society. It encompasses a broad range of strategies and activities in public health, healthcare delivery, and intersecting social systems that impact people's well-being
. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health policy sets a vision for the future, outlines priorities and roles of different groups, builds consensus, and informs the public
. Health policy covers various categories such as public health, mental health, healthcare services, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and policies related to health equity and access to care
. It includes not only the formulation of laws and regulations but also the governance, implementation, and operational rules that translate policy into practice
. Policymaking is a collective effort involving multiple actors like governments, healthcare providers, patients, industry stakeholders, and researchers, all contributing to shaping and executing health policies
. In summary, health policy is the collective effort of policymakers to use instruments and strategies to achieve health goals over time, influencing how healthcare is financed, delivered, and regulated to improve health outcomes and system performance
