The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), an innovative online platform serving as the first global open access clearing house for medical device information.
This platform is designed to assist governments, regulators, and healthcare providers in making informed decisions regarding the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices for diagnostics, testing, and treatment of various health conditions.
MeDevIS encompasses 2301 types of medical devices addressing a wide range of health issues, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health; noncommunicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes; and infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The platform aims to simplify the increasingly complex landscape of medical technologies, which can be challenging for healthcare practitioners and patients to navigate.
“The number of medical technologies used in health care is growing, as is their complexity, which can make it challenging for healthcare practitioners and patients to navigate,”
said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
“We aim to provide a one-stop shop of international information, which can be invaluable for those making decisions on life-saving medical technologies, especially in resource-limited settings, and to improve access.”
Globally, there are over 10,000 different medical devices used for protection, prevention, diagnostics, treatment, or rehabilitation. These range from simple tools like pulse oximeters and digital thermometers to complex technologies such as hemodialysis units and defibrillators.
Drawing on the WHO Priority Medical Devices List (MDL) and the long-established WHO Essential Medicines List (EML), MeDevIS represents WHO’s first global repository on medical devices. As the EML approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, WHO continues to advance global health initiatives. The organization plans to continually enhance the MeDevIS platform by engaging stakeholders and expanding its catalog to include additional technologies, especially for pandemic and emergency settings.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
