The COVID-19 Multi-Model Comparison Collaboration (CMCC) is working together with the COVID-19 modellers, policy-makers, and technical experts, with the aim of enhancing the use of models to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. With a plethora of evidence generated since the outbreak, maintaining a good standard of reporting and ensuring accountability of the three stakeholders (Funders/Development Partners, Modelers/Technical Experts, and Decision-Makers/Policy Makers) …
Health technology assessment in sub-Saharan Africa: an initial survey of stakeholders
Report authors: Sam Hollingsworth, Kalipso Chalkidou and Francis Ruiz In this blog, Samantha Hollingworth, Francis Ruiz and Kalipso Chalkidou from the International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI), discuss the findings of their recently published Brief Report, which aims to rapidly assess current health system priorities and policy areas of demand for health technology assessment (HTA) in Sub-Saharan Africa, and identify key gaps in data …
Developing a framework for co-financing decisions: the Analysis of Interventions in Development Aid (AIDA) study
The analysis of Interventions in Development Aid (AIDA) study aimed to explore and propose a principled framework for thinking about and discussing donor co-financing decisions. With support from iDSI, researchers from the University of Strathclyde and the University of Ghana explored the issue in the context of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) co-financing countries as they transition towards graduation and …
Calling all those teaching health economics in sub-Saharan Africa – an invitation to participate in a survey to identify teaching institutions
This is a critical time for teaching health economics in sub Saharan Africa. Many countries are journeying towards Universal Health Coverage while transitioning from donor funding, and the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the essential convergence between health and behaviors, health financing, health systems and macroeconomics in decision-making and health policy. The need for local health economists in Africa has never …
Webinar on iDSI and Healthcare Priority Setting in India
View PostA call to policy-makers working on COVID-19 national response: how can we improve the use of models?
As the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving, a growing number of countries are making use of information derived from mathematical models in policy and public communication. In a review conducted as of March 2020, 31 COVID-19 models were identified, with different objectives, methods and data/results reported in the public domain. The type of models employed by the countries vary but we …
Ghana’s HTA agenda and UHC, what difference could HTA make?
As we reflect on Universal Health Coverage day (UHC) from the end of last year, it seems that 2019 was an important year in Ghana’s journey towards achieving the target of UHC by 2030. According to the WHO, UHC is achieved when all people and communities can have access to the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services they …
Ghana’s Minister of Health launches the National HTA Steering Committee and calls for HTA institutionalisation in the country
On Friday 4th October 2019, members of the International Decision Support initiative (iDSI) were invited to the Ministerial Inauguration meeting of Ghana’s first National Health Technology Assessment (HTA) steering and technical committees for HTA. The invitation acknowledged iDSI’s 11 years of active involvement in the country advocating for prioritising evidence-informed decision making in Ghana
iDSI hosts fifth two-week study tour for senior Chinese health professionals and researchers
The iDSI team at Imperial College and core iDSI partner the China National Health Development Research Centre (CNHDRC), have been organising visits by groups of high-level Chinese health leaders and professionals, from national and regional bodies, and from clinical and non-clinical roles, to visit the UK each year since 2014. The study tours seek to provide delegates with a solid …
The Health Technology Assessment programme in India (HTAIn): two exciting developments
The International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI) is proud to support India as it continues to make huge strides towards health priority setting. iDSI has an ongoing technical assistance programme with the Government of India through the Department of Health Research (DHR) with a focus on Health Technology Assessment (HTA). The Health Technology Assessment programme (HTAIn) which is funded by the …