National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)NoticesNational Health Insurance Policy towards Universal Health CoverageChapter 8 : Purchasing of Health Services8.6 Health Technology Assessment |
| 303. | The practice of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is still at its infancy stage. While there are some research institutions grappling with the field of HTA and its applicability within the health care system, there remains a significant gap with regards to overall HTA coordination, systematic application within the policy and decision making spaces, as well as how best HTA can be applied to ensure cost-effectiveness and accessibility of needed interventions and priority setting more generally. Currently, HTA in one form or another is undertaken by various players within the health sector, but there is no single national policy that is implemented through an appropriately legislated entity. |
| 304. | In implementing NHI, HTA will inform prioritisation, selection, distribution, management and introduction of interventions for health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Efficient use of resources is a crucial factor for achieving a sustainable health system especially when significant increase in access to essential medicines, including generic medicines, medical devices, procedures and other healthcare interventions are envisaged. A single national policy using a legislated entity will conduct HTA. |