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Addressing the challenges of implementing a Health Technology Assessment Policy Framework in South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2020

Debjani Mueller Open the ORCID record for Debjani Mueller [Opens in a new window]
Debjani Mueller*
Affiliation:
Department of Health Care Management, Berlin University of Technology, Berlin, Germany Charlotte Maxeke Research Cluster, Johannesburg, South Africa
*
Author for correspondence: Debjani Mueller, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

South Africa's commitment to progressively achieve universal health coverage can lead to the effective and appropriate use of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to strengthen the healthcare system. The study aimed to analyze the challenges faced in the formal implementation and utilization of HTA in the public health sector.

Methods

Review and analysis of health technology policies and legislation introduced in South Africa since 1965 serves as the backbone of this study. Walt and Gilson's health policy triangle framework and Kingdon's model were used for data analysis. In addition, a semi-structured survey was conducted among key stakeholders, including those attending HTA workshops that were held in 2016 and 2017.

Results

The document review identified appropriate legislative and policy framework for informing healthcare decisions. Survey participants (n = 55) reported limited political support, local capacity, and awareness of HTA as barriers to implementing HTA. They noted that adequate financial resources and availability and sharing of quality data are primary drivers for HTA development. Effective governance, collaboration, and cooperation between key stakeholders of the healthcare system were suggested as possible ways forward for the institutionalization of HTA.

Conclusion

The South African government's goal to introduce the national health insurance program provides an excellent opportunity to formally introduce the use of HTA in decision making. Individual capacity development supported by institutional and organizational environments is urgently needed to achieve its full potential.

Keywords

E-healthDecision analysisHealth services/systems research
Type
Policy
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 36 , Issue 4 , August 2020 , pp. 453 - 458
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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