The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially invited stakeholders from around the world to participate in the 5th WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices. This year’s forum will be held virtually in Geneva, allowing for greater global participation.
Medical devices, which play a crucial role in screening, diagnosing, treating, and assisting patients at all levels of healthcare, are often out of reach for many who need them. Despite progress, gaps in accessibility, safety, affordability, and availability remain widespread. The upcoming forum aims to bring together experts to discuss strategies to overcome these challenges and improve access to medical technologies for better patient care.
In an era marked by shifting global dynamics, medical devices must also adapt to meet the evolving needs of the world. Issues such as achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), combating climate change, addressing scientific and technological advances, and responding to increasing crises and emergencies will be central topics at the forum. These themes align with the priorities outlined in WHO’s 14th Global Program of Work.
The WHO has organized four previous global forums, starting with the first in Bangkok in 2010, followed by events in Geneva in 2013 and 2017, and the fourth in Visakhapatnam, India, in 2018. These forums have seen participation from over 90 WHO member states and have been a vital platform for exchanging knowledge on medical devices and their role in global health.
Since the last forum, WHO member states have approved new mandates related to medical devices, which now need to be implemented. Key initiatives include increasing access to medical oxygen, strengthening diagnostic capabilities, and standardizing medical device nomenclature.
The 5th forum will focus on a wide range of topics, including the selection of priority medical devices, medical device information systems, essential in vitro diagnostics, and innovation in the field. Other important themes include regulation, health technology assessment, health technology management (covering areas like needs assessment, procurement, technical specifications, donations, maintenance, and safe usage), local production, technology transfer, and sustainability. The forum will also delve into the development of national device lists and explore the relationship between medical devices and disease areas, such as communicable diseases, emergencies, and non-communicable diseases.
Further details on the registration process and program schedule will be shared in 2025.
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