In June, the annual international conference Health Technology Assessment international (HTAi) 2026 was held in Istanbul. This year it was held under the slogan "Health Technology Assessment as a System Shaper" (HTA as a System Shaper).
The event brought together more than 800 health technology assessment experts from 60 countries worldwide to discuss current issues in the development of the HTA field and its important role in shaping effective and sustainable healthcare systems.
Ukraine at the conference was represented by the Director of the Department of Health Technology Assessment Oresta Piniazhko, who is also an active member of the international HTA community and a member of the conference regional committee on HTA interaction 2026.
Within the official programme of the event, Oresta Piniazhko presented a poster report on Ukraine's experience in involving clinicians in the HTA procedure and the development of an evidence-based approach to decision-making in the healthcare system. She also moderated a session dedicated to horizon scanning (a method of searching for hidden future trends) in the United Kingdom and medical technologies that are changing the "rules of the game" in rehabilitation.
She also served as a moderator of the session on horizon scanning (collection and analysis of data for early detection of innovative medicinal products and medical devices) in the United Kingdom and on game-changing health technologies in rehabilitation.
During plenary sessions, panel discussions and symposia, participants discussed key challenges and prospects for the development of HTA. Among the main topics:
- patient access to innovative health technologies, in particular medical devices and digital solutions;
- the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare;
- engagement of stakeholders, international cooperation;
- sustainable development of HTA systems and the results of the first joint clinical assessments in the EU.
The Center's participation in the event contributed to strengthening international cooperation, exchanging experience with leading global experts and further developing the health technology assessment system in Ukraine in line with best international practices.
