Evidence-informed decision making in achieving universal health coverage: The role of the Evidence Informed Network (EVIP-Net) in Africa

ID: 

3035

Session: 

Poster session 3 Friday: Evidence Tools / Evidence synthesis - creation, publication and updating in the digital age

Date: 

Friday 15 September 2017 - 12:30 to 14:00

Location: 

All authors in correct order:

Ararso D1, Ararso D1, G/Yohannis Y1
1 Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ethiopia
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Desalegn Ararso

Contact person:

Abstract text
Background: Health policy makers all over the world are facing critical issues in respect of health costs, access to healthcare, and quality and outcomes of healthcare that require evidence-based solutions (www.academyhealth). Evidence-informed health policy making is an approach that aims to ensure that decision making is well-informed by the best-available research evidence (www.who.evipnet.com)
For this purpose, the Network of Evidence-informed Policy Making (EVIP-Net), a WHO sponsored evidence-to-policy partnership, was established among 11 sub-Saharan African countries in 2006. (www.who.evip-net.com).

Objectives: To review capacity building, synthesis of priority areas of evidence, and best practice by EVIP-Net African countries.

Methods: Review of WHO-EVIP-Net and other database search was conducted in May 2016 to assess capacity-building, available evidence briefs, best experiences among EVIP-Net African countries.

Results: Drawn from the different stakeholders, 1200 people were trained trough 61 capacity-building workshops. During 2011-14, 37 evidence briefs were prepared among the 11 EVIP-Net African countries. Of the evidence briefs, 45.9% were about improving maternal & infant health, human-resource provision in remote areas and nutrition, 13.5% dealt with improving patients’ safety, quality of care, palliative care and about mental health and 10.8% dealt with improving health care financing, 18.9% of the evidence briefs were not completed as of 2014. 10.9% of the evidences were not in English and were excluded from review. -response mechanisms and clearing houses in Uganda amounted to best practice among EVIP-Net African countries.

Conclusions: Extending of the evidence synthesis to the non-covered population, other health services and giving special focus on reducing cost sharing and fees.
Evidence-informed policy making is essential in achieving the UN commitment's 'to leave no one behind’. There for, evidence synthesis should also give focus on mechanisms to reduce health inequalities among populations.
Uganda's clearing house in providing access to health system evidence should be replicated in other EVIP-Net countries

Attachments: