Abdullah bin Souqat, Executive Director of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences opened the second module of the "Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment" Diploma at Al Morooj Rotana hotel, Dubai. The 3-days course, accredited from the University of Washington, is attended by 18 decision makers and opinion leaders from the health institutions in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Bin Souqat referred to Hamdan Medical Award’s continuous support to the continuing medical education programs in the region which goes in line with the directives of the patron of the Award H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Health Authority. “H.H. Sheikh Hamdan has laid the infrastructure for developing the provided healthcare services through the continuous upgrading for the skills of the professionals working in that field”, Bin Souqat said.
“The UAE officials praised the course. Also, the members of the Award’s Board of Trustees closely follow up the activities of the diploma and work on to attract further important training programs to the region to meet the requirements of the healthcare professionals through strengthening the cooperation frameworks between the award and the academic institutions in many countries all over the world, “, Bin Souqat added.
“Last May, and for the 1st time in Dubai and the Middle East, the Health Economics and Health technology Assessment course was launched in collaboration with the the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research & Policy Program affiliated to the College of Pharmacy, University of Washington, and supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East and Africa”, Bin Souqat added.
Bin Souqat pointed out to the significant 2 lecturers, from University of Washington, including Dr. Anirban Basu, assistant professor in the department of health services and Pharmacy. His research interests lies in revealing heterogeneity in clinical and economic outcomes in order to establish the value of individualized care. His applied work spans many dimensions that include analyzing the cost effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment, establish the value of individualized care based on patient references, measuring the effect of patients’ health on the quality of life of their partner. He has worked in developing novel methods to estimate long-term costs of prostate cancer therapies and simulation models for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of pharmacological treatment algorithms in schizophrenia.
“Also, Dr. Rafael Alfonso Kristantcho, Scientific Director of Surgical Outcomes Research Center, University of Washington, participates in the 2nd module of the diploma. During the last couple of years, Dr. Kristantcho’s research focused on the development of economic and disease models in chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and endocrine tumors. He has also been invited to work on projects to advice governments, particularly in middle income countries, and private insurers in the development and improvement of Health Technology Assessment”, Bin Souqat added.
“The topics of the Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment Diploma are the corner stone for many decisions taken by health institutions. These topics include the scientific basis for making decisions in the health institutions, the mechanisms of the strategic planning, follow-up process, the integration between the facilities, available resources and manpower and the balance between the supply and the demand of health services in the light of studying the needs of the community and assessing the macro and micro economy in healthcare sectors”, he said.
“The 2nd module of the course deals with health economics and medical care, healthcare markets, the principles of demand and supply for medical care and health insurance, the evaluation of the clinical outcomes, Pharmaceutical market, the importance of information as an economic good and achieving the objectives by using the available budget through taking into account the social values in the society”, he added.
It is noteworthy that Hamdan Medical Award will resume the activities of the “health economics and health technology assessment” course in November, and the graduates will receive the certificates approved by the University of Washington.
