In September 2018 iDSI and Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi) were delighted to host a first-of-its-kind event focused on sustainable resource allocation policies for low and middle income countries (LMICs) in Accra.
The two-day event set out to address the difficulties that LMICs face with UHC attainment; and put the spotlight specifically on how HTA can provide solutions.
Almost 100 policy representatives from across Africa and Europe attended workshops that provided an overview of HTA, covering core technical components and how HTA could be integrated within a broader decision-making process. Speakers presented on their experiences of HTA in SSA nations in plenary and parallel sessions covering a wide array of issues pertinent to HTA.
The event was hosted by the Ministry of Health Ghana, endorsed by the Minister for Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu and officially opened by Deputy Minister for Health Mr Kingsley Aboagye-Gyedu.
By leveraging the collective inputs and suggestions from a great mix of delegates with a vast collection of knowledge iDSI and HTAi anticipate the ideas and recommendations that stem from the event will further incite development and innovation within the region.
Participants’ Evaluation and Feedback:
Key messages from Setting priorities fairly: sustainable policies for effective resource allocation in Africa:
Presentations from day 1: pre-conference workshop
Introduction to Health Technology Assessment
Case studies of HTA implementation from around the world
Overview of current HTA in Sub-Saharan Africa and its use in priority-setting
Exercise – data sources for HTA in your country
Presentations from day 2: main conference
Plenary 1: Historical development and current practice of HTA in Africa: successes, failures and opportunities. What are the next steps? Moderator: Michael Borowitz (Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria)
Kalipso Chalkidou (iDSI)
Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea (HTAi)
Sarah Garner (World Health Organization)
Plenary session 2: Sustainable transition from aid – towards value for money for equitable outcomes and moving beyond ‘disease silos’ aid – what are the challenges and opportunities ahead? Moderator: Koku Awonoor (Ghana Health Service)
Michael Castro (Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative)
Solomon Memirie (Ministry of Health Ethiopia)
Lydia Dsane-Selby (National Health Insurance Agency Ghana)
David Njuguna (Ministry of Health Kenya)
Parallel session 1: Developing effective HTA governance structures within healthcare systems: What does global experience teach us? Moderator: Justice Nonvignon (University of Ghana)
Rabia Kahveci (Ankara Numune Health Technology Assessment Center)
Edith Gavor (Ministry of Health Ghana)
Netnapis Suchonwanich (Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program, Thailand)
Kun Zhao (China National Health Development Research Center)
Edwine Barasa (Kenya Medical Research Institute)
Parallel session 2: Aligning interests – how can the private sector support explicit priority setting in countries transitioning from aid? Moderator: Brendan Shaw (Shawview Consulting)
Charles Ngoh (Roche)
Kirti Narsai (Johnson & Johnson)
Regina Kamoga (Community Health and Information Network)
David Kariuki (Ministry of Health Kenya)
Parallel session 3: Technology and innovation in health information systems – a lever for health system strengthening. Moderator: Samantha Diamond (Clinton Health Access Initiative)
Kwame Geegee Adu on behalf of Samuel Buaneng-Frimpong (Ghana Health Service)
Peter Stephens (IQVIA)
Kwasi Boahene (PharmAccess)
Ayman Sabae (Shamseya)
Parallel session 4: Incorporating HTA and economic evidence into benefit package design and national essential medicines lists. Moderator: Trygve Ottersen (Norwegian Institute of Public Health)
Peter Hangoma (University of Zambia)
William Reuben (Ministry of Health Tanzania)
Hector Castro (Management Sciences for Health)
Carleigh Krubiner (Center for Global Development)