NHIA Advances Health Tech Reforms to Reduce Waste and Boost Coverage
The Role of Health Technology Assessment in Nigeria's Healthcare System Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is gaining momentum as a crucial tool for improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria. By evaluating the medical, economic, social, and ethical implications of health technologies, HTA aims to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. This approach is particularly important in a country where healthcare systems are fragmented and resources are limited. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has taken a leading role in promoting HTA. According to Yakubu Agada, the Director of Standard and Quality Assurance at NHIA, the agency is driven by the need to make informed decisions about healthcare interventions. He emphasized that without proper data, previous efforts to design benefit packages have been lacking in evidence-based support. "Every naira must count," he said, highlighting the urgency of adopting HTA to ensure transparency and accountabi...