Health Technology Assessment in India, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI) organized an International Symposium on Health Technology Assessment (ISHTA- 2021) “Translating Knowledge and Best Practices into Policy for Evidence Informed Decision making in Healthcare Sector for Universal Health Coverage” on 10th December 2021, New Delhi.
The aim of the International Symposium was to discuss global best practices in HTA, for development of a sustainable model of evidence based decision making through HTA institutionalization in the country for Universal Health Coverage. It also provided a forum for the exchange of relevant country experiences and policy lessons on the use and adoption of HTA including the role and relevance of technology assessment methods to support and inform decision-making. There was multi-sectorial coordination and active engagement of the stakeholders to identify areas of work, scoping decision problems, commissioning economic evaluation, technical appraisal, quality assurance and dissemination of results and recommendations for implementation in healthcare sector.The symposium was attended by about 500 participants, virtually or in person. On this occasion Hon’ble Minister of State of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar released a video on “The Power of HTA” and two books – “Policy Briefs” and “Development of Health-Related Quality of Life Value Sets (EQ-5D-5L) for India”.