This innovative online platform aims to revolutionize access to information about medical devices for healthcare professionals and decision-makers worldwide.
In a world with rapidly evolving and increasingly complex medical technologies, reliable information is critical. MeDevIS serves as a central hub for this crucial data.
This first-of-its-kind platform provides open access to information on medical devices. This empowers governments, regulators, and healthcare users to make informed choices regarding the selection, purchase, and use of such devices for diagnosing, screening, and treating various diseases.
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, emphasizes the platform’s goal: to simplify access to information for those making life-saving medical technology decisions, particularly in resource-limited settings.
MeDevIS currently offers a comprehensive catalog of over 2,300 medical device types, addressing a broad spectrum of healthcare needs. The platform covers a vast array of medical challenges, including reproductive health, child healthcare, non-communicable diseases (cancer, cardiovascular issues, diabetes), and infectious diseases (like COVID-19).
MeDevIS cuts through the clutter of information sources by offering a user-friendly and unified approach. Users can easily identify essential devices based on specific criteria, such as healthcare facility type, intended use of the device, and required infrastructure.
Dr. Deus Mubangizi, WHO Director of Policy and Standards for Health Products, highlights how MeDevIS can empower policymakers to establish healthcare systems catering to vulnerable populations, update national procurement lists for medical technologies, contribute to achieving universal health coverage, and support institutions in defining health insurance and patient reimbursement policies for these devices.
The platform strives to harmonize the classification of medical technologies globally. It utilizes established international naming systems like EMDN (European Medical Device Nomenclature) and GMDN (Global Medical Device Nomenclature).
MeDevIS marks a significant step forward, aligning with the WHO’s ongoing efforts to improve global healthcare access. As the organization prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Essential Medicines List in 2025, MeDevIS complements this legacy by focusing on medical devices. The WHO remains committed to continuously refining the platform, in collaboration with partners, to include even more technologies – particularly those crucial for pandemic and emergency responses.
ARD/te/Sf/fss/abj/APA