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Source- This post on the MeDevIS Initiative has been created based on the article “MeDevIS platform announced to boost access to medical technologies and devices” published on the official website of WHO on 8 July 2024.
Why in news?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System).
About MeDevIS
1. MeDevIS is the first global open-access clearinghouse for information on medical devices, designed to support governments, regulators, and users in making informed decisions regarding the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices.
Key Features
1. Reference Systems: It utilizes European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) for device registration, procurement, supply, inventory management, and pricing.
2. Scope: It covers 2,301 types of medical devices across various health areas, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health; noncommunicable diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes); and infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19).
3. Device Range: It includes over 10,000 devices, from simple items like pulse oximeters and digital thermometers to complex technologies like hemodialysis units, defibrillators, and radiotherapy equipment.
4. Aim: MeDevIS aims to provide comprehensive, reliable information to aid in decision-making, particularly in resource-limited settings.
5. Data Aggregation: The platform aggregates data from international organizations, regulatory bodies, and donor agencies, centralizing information for easy access.
6. Benefits:
i) It replaces fragmented sources with a single, comprehensive platform.
ii) It simplifies the process of finding reliable data.
iii) It allows searches based on device type, healthcare system support, scope, and required infrastructure.
iv) It aids national policymakers in developing or updating national lists for health technology procurement and supports health insurance and patient reimbursement policies.
7. Future Enhancements: WHO plans to continually enhance MeDevIS by engaging stakeholders, expanding its scope, and incorporating additional technologies, especially for pandemic and emergency settings.
8. This initiative builds on WHO’s experience with the WHO Priority Medical Devices List and the Essential Medicines List (EML).
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
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