The International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI) celebrated Universal Health Coverage (UHC) day on 12^th December 2017 at the Center for Global Development (CGD) in Washington DC. The event was titled ‘Better Decisions, Better Health: Practical Experiences Supporting UHC from around the world”. Prof. Kalipso Chalkidou from CGD and Imperial College London gave an overview of the meeting. Dr. Mark McClellan from the Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University delivered the keynote address during which he discussed accountable care and the work his center is doing in Nepal, among other countries. A reflection and question and answer session ensued led by Dr. Anthony Culyer, Chair of the iDSI Board, Dr. Mark and Prof. Kalipso.

Three iDSI partners then showcased some of the activities that they have been undertaking to support UHC. Ms. Waranya Rattanavipapong, Head of the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP) International Unit (HIU), presented on the topic of “Building research capacity for UHC in Southeast Asia”. Her talk was accompanied by a video which showed the impact of HITAP’s activities through the lens of young researchers from Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines who have been involved in projects supported by iDSI. Prof Karen Hofman from South Africa’s PRICELESS spoke about the ‘sugar tax’ that her team helped pass a law on while speaking on the topic of “Tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through taxation in Sub-Saharan Africa”. At the end, Dr. Amanda Glassman from CGD unveiled the book “What’s In, What’s Out: Designing Benefits Plans for UHC” which compiles lessons and provides guidance on developing an explicit benefits package for UHC.

Ms. Waranya Rattanavipapong, Head of HITAP’s International Unit, speaking at the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day event at the Center for Global Development, Washington DC, on 12 December 2017.