Policy dialogue on health technology assessment in Middle East and North Africa: reporting from an HTAi initiative
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Health technology assessment (HTA) is a multidisciplinary, policy-oriented process designed to inform evidence-based, transparent, and value-based decision making in health systems. Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), HTA development remains heterogeneous and unevenly institutionalized. This manuscript reports on a Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi)-led Policy Dialogue designed to identify shared challenges, priorities, and opportunities to strengthen HTA systems across the region. METHODS: Insights were generated through an in-person meeting held in Tunisia in 2025, alongside the HTAi MENA Regional Meeting. The dialogue was complemented by an online survey and a follow-up virtual meeting. Data sources included structured survey responses from experts across twelve countries and qualitative inputs from multi-stakeholder discussions involving policymakers, HTA practitioners, academics, and international organization representatives. Findings were synthesized descriptively to capture perceived challenges, priorities, and expectations for regional and international collaboration. RESULTS: Participants emphasized HTA's role in improving resource allocation, transparency, and access to high-value technologies. Key challenges included limited access to high-quality data, workforce capacity constraints, fragmented governance, and weak legal and institutional frameworks. The highest-ranked priorities were establishing formal legal mandates for all actors involved in HTA processes, building technical and system capacity (including institutional governance, processes, and coordination mechanisms), and strengthening health data infrastructure. Strong support emerged for regional cooperation through joint training, shared assessments, and HTA networking, alongside expectations for international organizations to play a catalytic role. CONCLUSIONS: HTA is gaining prominence across MENA, but most countries remain in early phases of institutional development. Progress will require coordinated action on governance, capacity, data systems, and implementation.
Authors: Mouna Jameleddine, Antonio Migliore, Ann Single, Rabia Sucu, Debjani Mueller, Nicola Vicari, Maitha Musabeh Ali Khalifa Alghfeli, Bader Alkhurainej, Emad Almomani, Hajer Al Mudaihem, Kefah Ali Al Alqawasmeh, Mouza Al Saadi, Anas Hamad, Zakia Ines Harzallah, Nabil Harzallah, Rita Karam, Kamel Mansouri, Said Wani, Amal Yassine, Awad Mataria, George Valiotis
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,550
OpenAlex ID: W7165181626