Finding the true north of evidence-based policy development

By Nattha Tritasavit Jul. 30, 2014

Finding true north is important for accurate navigation to embarking on the right path. While there may be many paths to making policy decisions, the ultimate goal is to end up with a decision that has been well-informed by evidence. Evidenced-based policy decisions result in more transparent and effective outcomes that are defendable to the public. A case in point …

Prof David Haslam, Chair of NICE, speaks at the 67th World Health Assembly in support of priority-setting for UHC

Jun. 20, 2014

At the 67th World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2014, a resolution was adopted on Health intervention and technology assessment in support of universal health coverage. Prof David Haslam, Chair of NICE, representing the UK Mission Geneva, addressed the Assembly during a panel session on the role of priority-setting in universal health coverage, alongside counterparts from Thailand, Iran, Ethiopia and …

iDSI launches global public good: questionnaire on priority-setting readiness

Jun. 16, 2014

iDSI aims to help policymakers in low and middle income countries in building capacity for active priority-setting, such that they can spend limited health budgets in a more efficient and equitable way, and achieve sustainable universal health coverage (UHC). In order to help achieve iDSI this aim, we at NICE International have developed a questionnaire to assess countries’ ‘priority-setting readiness’. We believe this …

Event on 17 June, Washington DC: Improving the Use of Economic Evaluation for Global Health Funders

Jun. 12, 2014

As part of a series of events coinciding with the launch of the Gates Reference Case, Tommy Wilkinson (Adviser for Health Economics, NICE International) will be speaking on Tuesday 17 June 2014 at a lunch seminar hosted by the Center for Global Development, Washington DC. If you missed our launch event in London or are attending the HTAi conference, here’s your chance to find …

Gates Foundation calls for more principled cost-effectiveness in health

By Amanda Glassman Jun. 11, 2014

This is a post by Amanda Glassman reproduced with permission of the Center for Global Development Cost-effectiveness studies compare the costs and benefits of different interventions with the aim of improving decisions on the allocation of scarce resources for health.  Or, put simply, they allow policy-makers to set priorities for health spending and consider how the next dollar available can get more health for the money. 

The origins of iDSI

Jun. 3, 2014

NICE International launches the International Decision Support Initiative In November 2013, NICE International launched the international Decision Support Initiative (iDSI) to support low and middle income governments in making resource allocation decisions for healthcare. Dr Kalipso Chalkidou, Director, NICE international said, “We are delighted to be part of the iDSI, a unique platform for engaging with and responding to the …

New initiative to support priority setting for Universal Health Coverage

By Amanda Glassman Mar. 6, 2014

This is a joint post by Amanda Glassman, Kate McQueston and Jenny Ottenhoff, reproduced with permission of the Center for Global Development Universal health coverage (UHC) is now firmly on the global health agenda, and carries with it the ambitious goal of providing “access to key promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost.”  So where do we start?  …

Priority-setting in the journey towards universal health coverage

Jan. 30, 2014

Welcome to iDSI, the international Decision Support Initiative. We provide a platform for supporting low and middle income country (LMIC) policymakers in making better use of healthcare resources to generate maximum health, in their journeys towards universal health coverage (UHC).

Using evidence to inform policy and practice in healthcare in Jordan

Sep. 2, 2013

 In March 2009, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), with the support of the World Bank, run a three-day technical workshop and strategic policy meeting for senior Jordanian health policy makers. The aim of this event was to provide an outline of the basic principles and methods for health technology assessment (HTA) and best clinical practice …