Nigeria, Sept. 5 -- Nigeria's National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has positioned itself at the forefront of efforts to institutionalise Health Technology Assessment (HTA), a tool it says is essential for cutting waste, improving efficiency, and expanding access to health care.

This was discussed during a panel session on "Advancing Health Technology Assessment in Nigeria: A Strategic Imperative for Universal Health Coverage" at the National Health Financing Dialogue in Abuja on Thursday.

Speaking during the session, the Director of Standard and Quality Assurance, NHIA, Yakubu Agada, said the agency is compelled to lead reforms after years of designing benefit packages without the evidence to back them up.

"We've had to bring in ...