HealthcareDiplomacy – India and Sri Lanka have taken a significant step toward strengthening healthcare cooperation with the launch of a five-day workshop focused on Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Senior officials described the initiative as an important milestone in bilateral health diplomacy, reflecting India’s continued support for regional public health development and evidence-based decision-making.

The workshop began at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi and is being organised by the Department of Health Research (DHR) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. Delegates from Sri Lanka are participating in the programme, which is designed to promote knowledge sharing and institutional collaboration in the field of health technology assessment.

Building a Framework for Evidence-Based Health Decisions

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the central aim of the workshop is to help chart a structured pathway for the advancement and institutionalisation of HTA mechanisms in Sri Lanka. Health Technology Assessment is a systematic approach used globally to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, cost-efficiency and safety of health interventions, including medicines, medical devices and public health programmes.

By facilitating structured discussions and technical sessions, the workshop seeks to support Sri Lanka in building a sustainable framework that integrates evidence-based evaluations into healthcare planning and policy decisions.

Senior Officials Highlight Strategic Importance

The inaugural session was addressed by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research. He welcomed the visiting delegation and underlined the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening public health systems.

Anu Nagar, Additional Secretary at DHR, spoke about the evolution and achievements of Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn). She noted that HTAIn has played a meaningful role in guiding healthcare policies by ensuring that decisions are grounded in scientific data and economic analysis. She expressed confidence that the exchange of experience and technical expertise during the workshop would support Sri Lanka’s efforts to embed HTA within its own health governance structure.

Expanding Knowledge Exchange and Technical Capacity

Officials said the five-day programme will cover a broad range of topics essential to developing a functional HTA ecosystem. These include institutional models, governance structures, methodological standards, pricing strategies and procurement decision-making processes.

Through interactive sessions and expert presentations, the participating teams are expected to explore practical approaches to implementing HTA frameworks suited to national contexts. The workshop also aims to identify areas where future collaboration between India and Sri Lanka can strengthen technical capacity and promote mutual learning.

The initiative aligns with India’s broader commitment to regional health partnerships, particularly in South Asia. By sharing institutional experience and technical knowledge, Indian authorities hope to contribute to more transparent and accountable healthcare decision-making across the region.

Role of HTAIn in India’s Healthcare System

The Government of India established Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) as an institutional mechanism under the Department of Health Research to support informed policy choices. HTAIn is tasked with compiling and, when necessary, generating scientific evidence related to medical technologies and health programmes.

Its assessments examine clinical outcomes, economic impact and patient safety, enabling policymakers to prioritise interventions that offer maximum public health benefit within available resources. Over time, HTAIn has become an important component of India’s health policy ecosystem, guiding cost-effective healthcare delivery and supporting equitable access to essential services.

By extending this expertise to Sri Lanka through structured engagement, both countries aim to enhance their respective health systems while reinforcing collaborative ties.

The ongoing workshop is expected to lay the groundwork for sustained cooperation in the field of health technology assessment and contribute to more efficient and evidence-driven healthcare policies in the region.