WHO list of priority medical devices for management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Medical devices are essential for healthcare, aiding in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Given the vast array of available devices, healthcare providers and governments face the challenge of selecting the most relevant ones for specific health conditions. With the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organization (WHO) saw the need to identify and prioritize medical devices, especially for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, particularly in resource-limited settings. This publication aims to guide the selection of these devices, aligning with WHO's guidelines and expanding its Priority Medical Devices lists. It offers guidance for countries to prioritize medical device procurement and suggests steps for country-level implementation, such as conducting needs assessments and organizing workshops on health technology. The document is structured into sections: the first introduces global health goals and NCD statistics; the second details the methodology for selecting priority devices; the third lists these devices by healthcare service units, including their classification and relevant clinical information; and the fourth suggests strategies for implementing these lists in various settings. The annexes provide expert insights and selection criteria. Targeted at health officials, researchers, policymakers, and patient advocacy groups, this publication informs decision-making on medical device selection in the context of universal health coverage, especially in low-resource environments.