A five‑day training program designed to strengthen evidence‑based health decision‑making has completed successfully. The training focused on Health Economics, Health Financing, and Decision Science, blending theory with hands‑on practice to help participants to evaluate the costs and effectiveness of health programs and technologies.
The training was organized by the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) in partnership with the University of Bergen (UiB) in Norway and the Manhiça Health Research Center (CISM) in Mozambique, through the Crypto T&T Project. The training was funded by the EDCTP-3 and sessions were led by seasoned experts in health economics, public health, and health policy analysis.
AHRI’s Deputy Director, Dr. Alemseged Abdissa, welcomed participants and highlighted the institute experience in giving trainings and hosting students from several neighboring African countries. He also highlighted the institutes newly constructed laboratory complex and emphasized its potential to advance health research not only in Ethiopia but across Africa. He emphasized the importance of increased capacity in the analysis of the cost effectives of interventions that are going to be introduced in resource limited settings.
Twenty-three health professionals, researchers, PhD and MSc students, and policy specialists that are actively engaged in health programs were brought together from Ethiopia and Mozambique. The main goal of the training was to build participants’ capacity to conduct health economic evaluations and support evidence based decision making. It also aimed to extend collaboration and capacity building both within local institutions and between the two countries.
In his closing remarks, AHRI’s Director General, Prof. Afework Kassu, underlined the importance of the training. He noted that while research and fieldwork are vital, decision‑making itself is often complex. By combining health economics, financing, and decision science, however, participants are better equipped to become strong leaders and experts in the field. He encouraged participants to not only use the skills gain for their own work but also transfer the skills to others and become champions of health economic evaluations and evidence-based decision making.
Participants of the training are expected to leave with practical skills to carry out health economic evaluations, perform cost‑effectiveness analyses, and integrate these approaches into their research projects. Beyond strengthening evidence‑based health policies, the training is also seen as a milestone in advancing joint research and capacity‑building collaboration between Ethiopia and Mozambique under the Crypto T&T Project.
