Kenya Health Technology Assessment Technical Working Group to Strengthen Universal Health Coverage and Evidence-Based Healthcare
Kenya officially launched the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Technical Working Group to strengthen evidence-based healthcare decision-making, improve the health benefits package and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage through transparent and cost-effective health interventions.
In a meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya on June 19, 2026, marked a significant step towards strengthening evidence-based healthcare decision-making following the official inauguration of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Technical Working Group (TWG) by the Ministry of Health during the multistakeholder meeting.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Department of Health Technology Assessment, the National Treasury, civil society organizations (CSOs), the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), CEMA, and other development partners to establish a structured platform that will guide Health Technology Assessment processes and support informed policy decisions across Kenya’s health sector.
Why the Health Technology Assessment Technical Working Group Matters
The newly established Technical Working Group aims to institutionalize Health Technology Assessment as a critical tool for improving healthcare planning, financing and service delivery.
Its key objectives include:
- Establishing the Health Technology Assessment Technical Working Group and defining its mandate.
- Supporting evidence-based health policy and decision-making.
- Reviewing and strengthening Kenya’s health benefits package.
- Aligning Health Technology Assessment priorities with national health policies.
- Promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive stakeholder participation in healthcare decision-making.
The initiative represents an important milestone in Kenya’s journey towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by ensuring that health interventions deliver maximum value for available resources.
Health Technology Assessment Supports Smarter Healthcare Investments
The forum was convened to review Kenya’s health benefits package while laying the foundation for the development and implementation of Health Technology Assessment products that will guide investment decisions across the health sector.
The World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Health Technology Assessment in Kenya, noting that the programme has already been institutionalized and should continue to be strengthened to improve healthcare outcomes and ensure efficient use of public resources.
The World Bank also emphasized the importance of addressing public concerns surrounding the Social Health Authority (SHA) to strengthen confidence in Kenya’s ongoing health financing reforms.
Health Technology Assessment Improves Quality, Affordability and Equity
Dr. Tracy John, Head of Kenya’s Health Technology Assessment Programme, explained that HTA combines both technical and procedural assessments to evaluate health interventions before they are adopted.
Technical assessments examine affordability, effectiveness, value for money, and cost implications, while procedural assessments provide transparent processes for selecting and evaluating new technologies.
She noted that Health Technology Assessment informs decisions relating to:
- Medicines and medical technologies
- Health insurance schemes
- Regulatory agencies
- Public procurement
- Development partner investments
Drawing lessons from South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, England, Australia, and Germany, Dr. John highlighted how institutionalized Health Technology Assessment strengthens healthcare systems by improving efficiency, transparency, and resource allocation.
Strong Policy Framework Supports Health Technology Assessment in Kenya
Participants reviewed the national policy and legal framework guiding Health Technology Assessment implementation.
These include:
- Health Act 2017
- Kenya Health Policy 2014–2030
- Universal Health Coverage Policy 2020–2030
- Social Health Insurance Act 2023
Together, these frameworks provide the legal and policy foundation for integrating evidence into healthcare planning, financing, procurement and service delivery.
Stakeholders Identify Opportunities and Implementation Challenges
Stakeholders emphasized the need to strengthen policy and legal frameworks while promoting transparency, provider engagement, county prioritization and inclusive stakeholder participation.
Despite significant progress, participants acknowledged several implementation challenges, including:
- Limited institutional capacity
- Inadequate Health Technology Assessment skills and training
- Weak institutional mandates
- Limited use of research evidence in decision-making
- Regulatory and procurement capacity gaps
Addressing these challenges was identified as essential for ensuring sustainable implementation of Health Technology Assessment across Kenya’s health system.
Kenya’s Health Technology Assessment Process
Participants also reviewed the national Health Technology Assessment cycle, which includes:
- Topic nomination
- Approval
- Selection and prioritization
- Assessment
- Deliberation and recommendations
- Stakeholder engagement
- Communication and dissemination
- Implementation, monitoring and evaluation
This structured process ensures that health technologies are assessed transparently using the best available evidence before policy decisions are made.
HENNET Reaffirms Commitment to Evidence-Based Health Policy
As Kenya continues to strengthen its health system and advance Universal Health Coverage, the establishment of the Health Technology Assessment Technical Working Group provides an important platform for improving transparency, accountability and value for money in healthcare investments.
HENNET welcomes this milestone and remains committed to working alongside government, civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders to promote evidence-informed health policies, strengthen health financing and advance equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
Article By:
Alexander Kieti
Communication and Media Assistant – HENNET