The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), the first global open access platform providing comprehensive information on medical devices. MeDevIS is a tool intended to assist governments, regulators, and consumers in making informed decisions regarding the selection, procurement, and utilization of devices for a variety of health conditions. Covering 2,301 device types, it addresses issues from reproductive and maternal health to noncommunicable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions, as well as infectious diseases including COVID-19.
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, highlighted the platform's role in simplifying medical technology management, especially in resource-limited settings. MeDevIS consolidates international data using the European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN) and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN), streamlining registration, procurement, and tracking. By replacing cumbersome paper-based searches with a centralized repository, it aims to standardize device naming and assist policymakers in creating procurement lists, ultimately advancing universal health coverage. WHO plans to continuously enhance MeDevIS by integrating more technologies and collaborating with stakeholders to broaden its scope, particularly for pandemic and emergency responses.
