Health technology assessment infrastructure for emirates health services: a phased framework

Area of Science:

• Health Policy and Management
• Health Economics
• Health Technology Assessment

Background:

• Emirates Health Services (EHS) requires a structured approach for evidence-based decision-making.
• Optimizing healthcare delivery and ensuring financial sustainability are key priorities.
• Integrating new health technologies effectively necessitates a robust assessment framework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a phased framework for establishing Health Technology Assessment (HTA) within EHS.
• To promote evidence-based decision-making and enhance patient outcomes.
• To ensure the financial sustainability of healthcare services through optimized resource allocation.

Main Methods:

• A four-phase framework: Phase 0 (strategy alignment), Phase 1 (budget impact/disease burden), Phase 2 (managed entry/multi-criteria decision analysis), Phase 3 (full HTA adoption).
• Utilized methodologies include budget impact modeling, cost-effectiveness analysis, and cost-utility analysis.
• Evidence sourced from registries, clinical databases, and pharmacoeconomic studies.

Main Results:

• The framework provides a scalable and sustainable roadmap for HTA implementation in the UAE.
• It supports efficient technology integration and alignment with national health priorities.
• Successful implementation hinges on local data availability, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory support.

Conclusions:

• The proposed HTA framework offers a structured pathway for EHS to enhance healthcare delivery.
• Addressing challenges like resource constraints and fragmented governance is crucial for adaptive implementation.
• The framework aims to optimize resource allocation and improve patient outcomes through evidence-based practices.