The five-day Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for a delegation from the Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka, officially began today at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi. The event is hosted by the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. It aims to develop a strategic pathway for advancing and institutionalizing HTA in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of DHR and Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), welcomed the delegates during the inaugural session. He described the initiative as a significant milestone in bilateral healthcare diplomacy and HTA knowledge exchange, emphasizing India’s commitment to supporting regional health initiatives.

Smt. Anu Nagar, Additional Secretary of DHR, highlighted the impactful contributions of Health Technology Assessment India (HTAIn) to the Indian healthcare landscape. She expressed confidence that this knowledge exchange would benefit the institutionalization of HTA in Sri Lanka.

HTAIn, an attached office of DHR, plays a crucial role in evaluating healthcare technologies and ensuring cost-effective, evidence-based health interventions across India. The five-day workshop will cover a wide range of topics, including HTA institutional frameworks, governance, methodologies, pricing, and procurement decisions. The objectives include identifying potential collaborative initiatives to strengthen HTA capacities and systems in both nations.