Policy Perspectives of Health Technology Assessment in Ethiopia: Review

Desalegn Ararso  Garoma; Tsegaye Getachew  Mekonnen; Ermias Woldie  Amerga; Tesfaye Dagne  Woldemarium; Samson Mideksa  Legesse

doi:10.18502/htaa.v9i4.20671

Desalegn Ararso Garoma Knowledge Translation Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tsegaye Getachew Mekonnen Knowledge Translation Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ermias Woldie Amerga Knowledge Translation Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tesfaye Dagne Woldemarium Knowledge Translation Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Samson Mideksa Legesse Knowledge Translation Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/htaa.v9i4.20671

Keywords: Health policy, HTA, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Health technology assessment (HTA) is a topic of increasing interest for all countries. However, policymakers in Ethiopia may face challenges in identifying the grounds on which the HTA process should be established. This review assessed the availability of HTA-related policy documents in Ethiopia to guide the future HTA system.

Methods: A descriptive analysis of HTA-related content was conducted within Ethiopian policy documents. An iterative search of policy documents was carried out from May 1–30, 2021, using organizational websites and advanced Google Scholar searches. Additional documents were obtained by consulting field experts. The synthesis considered the four major policy periods in Ethiopia and specific relevant policy documents.

Results: Review findings were organized according to the four different policy periods, focusing on HTA directions in Ethiopia. The policy recommendations stated in the reviewed documents included: the need to establish a national HTA center, the development of an HTA system, and the formation of an HTA team within the Ministry of Health. In HSTP II, attention was also directed to incorporating HTA and adaptive mechanisms.

Conclusions: When establishing a national HTA system, it is important to consider policy recommendations already stated in existing documents. Special attention should be given to the development of HTA guidelines, strategic documents, and policy documents that can link HTA results to decision-making processes. This could help close the gap between regulatory HTA processes and HTA implementation in Ethiopia. The findings of this review can also be used to inform policy contexts regarding HTA in countries with similar settings.