Health products policy and standards
Our team provides authoritative guidance and standards on quality, safety and efficacy of health products and supports countries to formulate evidence-based policies and ensure good practice throughout the value chain.
Global atlas of medical devices
The Global Atlas of medical devices (GAMD) provides global, regional and country data on availability of:
- national policy on health technology
- regulation of medical devices
- health technology assessment national unit
- health technology management
- use of medical devices nomenclature system
- national lists of priority medical devices
- high cost medical equipment.
The GAMD also identifies that Member States designate a focal point for health technologies and medical devices. Each Member State designates a focal point in the ministry of health with the survey responses.
WHO Baseline Country Survey on Medical Devices was developed in 2009. The aim was to determine the health technology areas that required support in countries and regions. It was launched in February 2010. In 2013 it was updated and re-launched as the Global Atlas of Medical Devices. The GAMD was updated in 2017 and the 2022 update is under development.
WHO / Gilles Reboux
Surgery to remove a patient's tumour. The Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France, is a specialized hospital on cancer.
Surgery to remove a patient's tumour. The Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France, is a specialized hospital on cancer.
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Credits
The Global Atlas of Medical Devices includes:
- introduction of each topic covered by the survey
- maps reflecting the global status quo
- list of country profiles (177 to date)
Publications
25 November 2022
Global atlas of medical devices 2022
The focus of the 2022 edition of the Global Atlas is to point out how the status of medical device topics supports or hinders the accomplishment of...
5 August 2017
Global Atlas of medical devices
Health technologies are essential for a functioning health system. Medical devices in particular are crucial in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment...
31 January 2010
Baseline country survey on medical devices 2010
The baseline country survey on medical devices was launched in February 2010 by the WHO Department of Essential Health Technologies. The...
2022 Global Atlas of Medical Devices
After many months of surveys, more than 1,000 email communications, desk reviews and public consultation, WHO presents the Global Atlas of Medical Devices 2022.
25 November 2022
Global atlas of medical devices 2022
The focus of the 2022 edition of the Global Atlas is to point out how the status of medical device topics supports or hinders the accomplishment of the...
Medical devices indicators
Nomenclature systems for medical devices
NOTE: In 2021, WHO opened a consultation on the use of nomenclature systems for medical devices. The desk review is available in the Global atlas of medical devices 2022.
Health Technology Policy
National Listing of Medical Devices
Density of Medical Equipment