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 …
NUS Initiative to Improve Health in Asia (NIHA) Leadership Program 2019
Advancing UHC in Asia Through the Use of HTA for Health Care Priority Setting and Reimbursement Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 24-28 June 2019. By invitation only Universal health coverage (UHC) is not only to be made available but also sustainable and every country is now thinking about how to make both happen. Health …
5th AfHEA Biennial Scientific Conference – Securing PHC for all: the foundation for making progress on UHC in Africa
With thanks to Liam Crosby iDSI contributed extensively to the 5th Biennial African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA) conference 2019, including organising 10 sessions and bringing over 30 researchers and experts to the conference, strengthening our collaborations with African partners. The conference occurred as iDSI turns its focus increasingly towards Africa, working to support decision-making and health priority-setting across …
International Workshop on Using Evidence for Decision-Making in Health Benefits Package Design
iDSI co-hosts major event, bringing together policy-makers from six North Eastern Indian States As India moves towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), finding robust and evidence-based answers to the challenges of defining which services should be publicly funded, for whom and how, becomes increasingly important. The introduction of ‘Modicare’, the nascent health insurance scheme announced out by the Indian …
Focusing on Value for Money: delivering introductory course to Unitaid and Global Fund
Achieving Value for Money (VfM) is a hot topic in the international development arena, but why is it important, how do we measure it and what role does it play to maximise impact? As countries move towards Universal Health Care coverage and transition from development assistance for health, there is an even more acute need to establish robust processes for …