Welcome

Welcome, friends, to the Health Technology Assessment International 2009 (HTAi 2009) website!

We are proud to be hosting the 6th Annual Meeting of the HTAi in sunny Singapore. This tropical island-state will be the venue for the first HTAi conference to be held in Asia. In organising this event, we hope to provide a venue conducive to the exchange of ideas and sharing of research and experiences, particularly on the theme of Globalisation and Health Technology Assessment (HTA). For our Asian partners, I hope you'll take the opportunity to come and meet fellow HTA researchers and users, and establish links with the wider HTA community from around the world. For our non-Asian colleagues, I encourage you to take this opportunity to visit this part of the world and experience the cultures and contexts in which we practice HTA.

This website should provide you with all you need to know about the conference programme, submitting abstracts, registration, accommodation and sponsorship opportunities. You'll also find useful tourist information on our country and our neighbours. There is no shortage of things to see and do, especially experiencing Asian cuisine - eating out is a major pastime here; make sure you check out the links to guides to good food in Singapore.

I look forward to welcoming you in person at HTAi 2009.

Theme

The 6th Annual Meeting will focus on how globalisation will impact on the field of HTA, how HTA should develop to meet the needs of different parts of the world, and how HTAi will adapt to its role as a global organisation.

• Globalisation and HTA - discussing the impact of globalisation on the field of HTA
• Globalisation of HTA - discussing the globalisation of HTA methods and products
• Globalisation of HTAi - discussing HTAi as a global organisation and how it can be relevant to regions around the world, particularly Asia

Organisers

Health Technology Assessment International (HTAi) is unique. It is the only international professional society focusing specifically on HTA and embracing all those who do and use it, whether in academic institutions, healthcare facilities, industry, business, the voluntary sector, or government.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is the arm of the Singapore Government responsible for healthcare policies and the quality of healthcare services in Singapore. The MOH is an innovative and people-centred organisation, committed to medical excellence, promoting good health and reducing illness, and to ensuring that Singaporeans have access to good and affordable healthcare that is appropriate to their needs.

Through MOH, the Government manages the national healthcare system. With its direct ownership of the public sector healthcare delivery system, MOH ensures that good and affordable medical services are available to all Singaporeans. We achieve this through providing subsidised medical services while promoting individual responsibility for their health and healthcare needs. Our population is thus encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The Government regulates the delivery of care to ensure patient safety and the maintenance of high professional standards. It also takes responsibility for the training of healthcare workers.

Singapore Health Services is the largest healthcare group in Singapore, offering a complete range of multi-disciplinary and integrated medical care. The group consists of 3 hospitals, 5 national specialty centres, and a network of 9 polyclinics. We have a faculty of internationally qualified medical specialists and are also well equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment medical technology. We are dedicated to providing quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our patients. Through clinical excellence, commitment, and collaboration, we aim to be the trusted leader in healthcare for our patients, partners, staff and the community.

The National Healthcare Group (NHG)'s vision is "Adding years of healthy life". This vision departs from merely healing the sick to the more difficult but infinitely more rewarding task of preventing illness and preserving health and quality of life. NHG is a leader in public healthcare in Singapore, recognised at home and abroad for the quality of its medical expertise and facilities. Care is provided through an integrated network of primary healthcare polyclinics, acute care hospitals, national specialty centres, innovative virtual specialty centres and business divisions. Together, they bring a rich legacy of 325 years of medical expertise to our philosophy of patient-centric care. With more than 11,000 staff, NHG aims to provide care that is patient-centric, accessible, seamless, comprehensive, appropriate and cost-effective.