Around the globe, countries looking to improve value for money are investing in systems to build the information base for healthcare decision-making. Where governments are reimbursing healthcare providers, understanding the cost-of-service provisioning is a critical part of this evidence base. Many countries, like the UK and Australia, that have advanced along the universal health coverage (UHC) route have developed sets …
Ghana launches its first Strategy for Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
Yesterday, Ghana launched its first Strategy for Health Technology Assessment (HTA). This strategy sends out a clear message of Ghana’s ambitious commitment to evidence informed priority setting. It recognizes that building an HTA function demands action on several areas, including capacity development, topic selection, and bespoke methods guidelines, all linked by a strong governance framework. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the use …
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 …
iDSI receives $14.5 million funding boost towards increased engagement with Sub-Saharan Africa
We are delighted to announce that iDSI has been awarded $14.5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to extend engagement with low and middle-income countries (LMICs) as they aim to make healthcare investment decisions that reflect the best value for money. The grant, which will cover five years, represents a significant uplift to the funding granted to iDSI …
Balancing budgets and coverage on the road to determining Health Benefit Packages: iDSI hosts three major events bringing together policy-makers from around the world
Although needs and available resources will undoubtedly differ by country, many face similar challenges on the road to determining an essential package of health benefits as part of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). As part of three recent events, which saw hundreds working in health policy gather in Accra, Liverpool and London, iDSI sought to delve into important factors that guide …
iDSI hosts two-week study tour for Chinese delegation
Health policy evaluation and Health Technology Assessment in the UK were put under the spotlight during a two-week study tour for Chinese officials, hosted by iDSI, which concluded today. The 22 delegates, from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds, visited London and Cambridge to develop their understanding of the UK healthcare system, including health-related legislation and regulatory mechanisms, policy development and …
60 seconds with… Dr Justice Nonvignon
iDSI caught up with Dr Justice Nonvignon, a senior lecturer and health economist at the University of Ghana, ahead of a special event in Accra later this month that focuses on sustainable policies for effective resource allocation in Africa. As part of the two-day event, Justice will lead on a workshop session highlighting international case studies of Health Technology Assessment …
A clear vision for India: cataracts HTA study sets example for a more cost-effective National Health Protection Scheme
The Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIN) Secretariat has published its first Health Technology Assessment study, assessing the cost-effectiveness of intraocular lens replacement for cataracts. Following approval by the Technical Appraisal Committee, this pioneering study will inform the ophthalmology surgical packages reimbursable under the new National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), which is set to provide healthcare coverage for over 500 …
iDSI delivers workshop on supporting evidence generation for differentiated care models for ART delivery in Kenya
A two day workshop focusing on differentiated care models (DCM) was delivered by iDSI, the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) and the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP) in Nairobi this month. The workshop was attended by 23 delegates representing NACC and NASCOP, as well partners from the Global Fund to fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the Centre …
Developing methods for use of the iDSI Reference Case
Research groups developing methods to support the use of the iDSI Reference Case (RC) for economic evaluation met to discuss work to date at a workshop in Glasgow. The iDSI RC sets out a principle-based framework as an ‘aid to thinking’ to inform better decision making in health in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Representatives from Imperial College London, University of …