RESPONSIBLE AI-ENABLED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (HTA) IN MENA: A QUALITATIVE EXPERT-CONSENSUS ROADMAP
Author(s)
Abeer Ahmad Al Rabayah, MBA, MSc, DrPH1, Abdulrazak Aljazairy, PhD2, Abeer Alghananeem, PhD3, Ahmed Osman, Sr., BSc, MSc4, Holger Thies, MBA5, Khalid A. Alnaqbi, MSc, MD6, Mohamed Farghaly, MD7, Mohamed Tannira, BSc, MSc8, Mahmoud M. Tolba, BSc, MSc9, Ranita Meena Tarchand, BA, MS10, Sahar Fahmy, PhD4, Sahar Hassan, BSc, MSc9, Omaima Alqasimi, BSc, MSc11, Samar Mansour, PhD12, Nadia Al Mazrouei, PhD11.
1Center for Drug Policy and Technology Assessment, Pharmacy Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan, 2Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative Division, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, 4Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 5Independent Researcher, Magdeburg, Germany, 6Division of Rheumatology, Sheikh Tahnoon Medical City, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 7Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 8ISPOR UAE Chapter, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9Health Evidence & HEOR Department, Stellar Consulting MEA, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 10Nested Knowledge, St Paul, MN, USA, 11Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 12ISPOR UAE Chapter, Cairo, Egypt.
1Center for Drug Policy and Technology Assessment, Pharmacy Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan, 2Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative Division, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, 4Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 5Independent Researcher, Magdeburg, Germany, 6Division of Rheumatology, Sheikh Tahnoon Medical City, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 7Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 8ISPOR UAE Chapter, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9Health Evidence & HEOR Department, Stellar Consulting MEA, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 10Nested Knowledge, St Paul, MN, USA, 11Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 12ISPOR UAE Chapter, Cairo, Egypt.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop a structured framework for responsible AI-enabled HTA in the MENA region, defining the essential governance, technical capabilities, and collaborative partnerships required for ethical, evidence-based implementation.
METHODS: We conducted a qualitative expert consensus study, reporting in accordance with COREQ guidelines. A purposive sample of 15 multidisciplinary experts - comprising 4 HTA specialists, 3 digital health strategists, 4 cybersecurity architects, and 4 HEOR professionals - was recruited from 6 MENA countries. Data collection was conducted via structured video-conferencing workshops with iterative consensus scoring. The study utilized a three-phase deliberative process: (1) Evidence Mapping; (2) Structured Deliberation; and (3) Thematic Synthesis using the Framework Method.
RESULTS: Consensus (100% agreement) identified AI-supported literature screening, systematic reviews, and RWE generation as high-readiness entry points (0-2 years). Experts defined "responsible AI" as an integrated model of validated predictive accuracy, robust cybersecurity, and transparent ethical oversight. Barriers included a shortage of multidisciplinary experts (reported by 85% of participants) and data governance gaps. Recommendations include: universities embedding AI competencies into curricula; HTA centers launching regional pilot models to foster trust; and national authorities establishing unified digital health regulatory standards.
CONCLUSIONS: MENA health systems currently lack regionally contextualized evidence for AI-HTA implementation; this study fills that gap. A successful transition requires validating tools, ensuring cybersecurity, and fostering cross-sector coordination. Regional pilot models offer the most practical pathway to demonstrate value and reduce evidence duplication, providing a data-driven roadmap for responsible HTA transformation across MENA.
METHODS: We conducted a qualitative expert consensus study, reporting in accordance with COREQ guidelines. A purposive sample of 15 multidisciplinary experts - comprising 4 HTA specialists, 3 digital health strategists, 4 cybersecurity architects, and 4 HEOR professionals - was recruited from 6 MENA countries. Data collection was conducted via structured video-conferencing workshops with iterative consensus scoring. The study utilized a three-phase deliberative process: (1) Evidence Mapping; (2) Structured Deliberation; and (3) Thematic Synthesis using the Framework Method.
RESULTS: Consensus (100% agreement) identified AI-supported literature screening, systematic reviews, and RWE generation as high-readiness entry points (0-2 years). Experts defined "responsible AI" as an integrated model of validated predictive accuracy, robust cybersecurity, and transparent ethical oversight. Barriers included a shortage of multidisciplinary experts (reported by 85% of participants) and data governance gaps. Recommendations include: universities embedding AI competencies into curricula; HTA centers launching regional pilot models to foster trust; and national authorities establishing unified digital health regulatory standards.
CONCLUSIONS: MENA health systems currently lack regionally contextualized evidence for AI-HTA implementation; this study fills that gap. A successful transition requires validating tools, ensuring cybersecurity, and fostering cross-sector coordination. Regional pilot models offer the most practical pathway to demonstrate value and reduce evidence duplication, providing a data-driven roadmap for responsible HTA transformation across MENA.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
HTA149
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Technology Assessment, Organizational Practices
Topic Subcategory
Systems & Structure
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas