WHO Medical Devices Newsletter Highlights-August 2025

WHO Campaign on Medical Devices

The World Health Organization has released several major updates in the field of medical devices, diagnostics, and health technology management, coinciding with the 5th WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices held from 2–4 June 2025.

Key Publications Released

1. Health Technology Assessment of Medical Devices – 2nd Edition
The second edition of the HTA book in the WHO Medical Devices series is now published. Launched during the Health Technology Assessment panel at the Global Forum, this edition builds on WHO’s ongoing work on prioritizing medical devices and the MeDevIS information system. The publication is the result of two years of development, with contributions from lead authors, WHO staff, and STAG MEDEV members.

2. Inventory and Maintenance Management Information System for Medical Devices
Introduced during the Health Technology Management panel, this updated document combines and modernizes content from two foundational 2011 WHO guides on equipment inventory management and computerized maintenance systems. It was published the day after its forum presentation.

3. Availability, Price, and Affordability of Health Technologies for Diabetes Management
Published in August 2025, this report complements the WHO priority medical device lists for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Updates from the 78th World Health Assembly

Several agenda items highlighted important developments for medical devices:

• Non-communicable diseases: Included resolutions on diabetes (WHA74.4) and cervical cancer (WHA73.2).

• Universal Health Coverage: Approval of WHA78.13, strengthening global medical imaging capacity.

• Medical Device Nomenclature (WHA75.25): Member States discussed implementation and alignment with the MeDevIS platform.

An official WHA side event, “Moving towards Action: Strengthening Diagnostics Capacity Through Global Collaboration,” took place on 21 May at the Palais des Nations.

Diagnostics: New Initiatives and Milestones

• Global Diagnostics Coalition: WHO has launched a new website, visual identity, and membership process. Academic and non-state actors are invited to join the network aimed at strengthening diagnostics capacity worldwide.

• New WHO Definition of Diagnostics: Following the WHA76.5 resolution and extensive public consultation—garnering 75 comments—a new WHO definition has been approved and will be released shortly.

STAG MEDEV Updates

The call for new members to the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Medical Devices closed with 140 applications. Fourteen new experts are now in the final approval stage, broadening the committee’s technical scope. Special thanks were extended to current members for their significant contributions to the Global Forum and recent WHO publications.

Recap of the 5th WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices

This year’s Global Forum brought together 1,795 participants from 130 Member States in an online format hosted from WHO Headquarters in Geneva. Over three days, attendees engaged with 120 speakers across 15 panels and 5 side events. A comprehensive report, including participant feedback, is in preparation and will be shared soon.