OP125 Increasing Capacity For Utilization Of Health Technology Assessment

Introduction:Increased capacity for utilization of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is key to ensuring high-impact; affordable health technologies reach the people who need them most. It also enables an environment for research in access to lifesaving technologies and innovations. The number of people suffering from one or more chronic diseases is rapidly increasing and the existing systems of care are not adequately addressing this increase. Increased HTA visibility provides an opportunity for a formal connection of Health Technologies (HTs), building a new working relationship among patients and healthcare professionals, health system strengthening, engagement of patients /consumers and health care professionals for follow up on existing HTs, and assessing new Health Technology innovations.Methods:We reviewed existing HTA literature, and hosted a meeting of fifty participants at the first HTA meeting representing different health stakeholders including patients. The meeting explored innovative synergies that addressed best practices in health policy and technological decision making, and opportunities for integrating HTA in Uganda's Health system.Results:Induced practical skills in coordinating a number of uncoordinated health technologies to over forty participants, an HTA strategy developed to complement national HTA initiatives and to generate information and tools to facilitate the start of hospital-based HTA initiatives in hospitals countrywide and regionally, to improve quality and efficiency of current initiatives. An HTA association, “Uganda Association of Health Technology Assessment - UAHTA” was formed, and a work plan for piloting hospital based HTA was developed.Conclusions:A Health Technology Assessment (HTA) system will enable comprehensive patient-centered, integrated (as opposed to simultaneous but independent) assessment of complex health technologies. There is a need for increased capacity and partnerships towards evidence generation, and accountability measures.