Medical devices are indispensable tools for quality health care delivery, but their selection and appropriate use pose a significant challenge in many parts of the world. Medical devices include from a syringe, catheters and surgical mask, to complex devices like pacemakers and prothesis to magnetic resonance.
WHO global lists of priority medical devices help improve access to suitable medical devices, increase safety, support quality of care and strengthen health care systems. These lists facilitate decision-making for health professionals in the areas of health policies, strategic planning, health technology assessment, resource allocation, procurement, biomedical engineering, regulation and facility assessment.
Under the Priority Medical Device Project, WHO is continuously updating this list of priority medical devices needed for the management of high-burden diseases, such as cancer and COVID-19, and for specific populations such as older adults, pregnant women and newborns. Key medical devices are identified in the lists based on their appropriateness and use to prevent, diagnose or treat a diseaseThe lists are meant to assist countries in developing or updating their national essential or priority lists, to promote their availability to support universal health coverage. The lists should be adapted to the countries understanding what technologies are available, and suitable for their particular context.
