A call to policy-makers working on COVID-19 national response: how can we improve the use of models?

May. 20, 2020

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 …

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Ghana’s HTA agenda and UHC, what difference could HTA make?

By Mohamed Gad, Francis Ruiz Jan. 16, 2020

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 …

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Ghana’s Minister of Health launches the National HTA Steering Committee and calls for HTA institutionalisation in the country

By Mohamed Gad, Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, Elizabeth Peacocke Oct. 14, 2019

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

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iDSI hosts fifth two-week study tour for senior Chinese health professionals and researchers

By Francis Ruiz Oct. 11, 2019

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 …

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Focusing on Value for Money: delivering introductory course to Unitaid and Global Fund

Alex Winch Jan. 10, 2019

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 …

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Job opportunity: Researcher/Senior Advisor for Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s Global Health Cluster

By Madeleine Stewart Dec. 19, 2018

Applications are invited to join the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s Global Health Cluster as a Researcher/Senior Advisor. The Global Health Cluster contributes to cooperation with public health institutions in low and middle- income countries and sits within the Division for Health Services, which works closely with other public health institutions, universities, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and the …

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HITAP developing book to highlight best buys, wasted buys and controversies in non-communicable diseases prevention

By Rachel Archer Dec. 14, 2018

With Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2018 only just been and gone, the HITAP team are already gearing up for next year’s UHC Day – when we plan to launch a book detailing best buys, wasted buys and controversies in the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The burden of NCDs remains high in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Reducing this …

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iDSI’s Health Technology Assessment Toolkit surpasses 100 downloads

By Madeleine Stewart Dec. 3, 2018

iDSI has launched a free, accessible resource for technical staff working in health policy keen to build Health Technology Assessment processes in their own countries. The Health Technology Assessment Toolkit was published in September 2018 following consultation with staff working in health policy around the world who helped develop the content. The end result is a tool detailing the building …