Standardization of the nomenclature of medical devices
On the last day of the 75th World Health Assembly, Member States requested the Secretariat to continue to integrate information on terms, codes and definitions of existing medical device naming systems and make it available to Member States through its information on medical devices. System (MEDEVIS). They asked the Secretariat to link MEDEVIS with other WHO electronic platforms, such as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
The process will improve the management of medical devices with the aim of improving access to medical devices; contributing to emergency preparedness and response; and improving patient safety and health care quality.
Thousands of different types of medical devices are currently in use, from stethoscopes to complex imaging technologies. The absence of a common standard name for each type of medical device has caused confusion between different types of devices; affects supply and traceability and interferes with the provision of health care.
A survey conducted by the latest edition of the WHO Global Atlas of Medical Devices shows that 75 countries do not have an official nomenclature system.
The Secretariat will report on progress to the 152nd Executive Board.
Links
Information system of priority medical devices
International Classification of Diseases 11th revision
Improving infection, prevention and control
The World Health Assembly also endorsed the “Global Strategy for Infection Prevention and Control” through a resolution aimed at positioning the IPC as central to communicable disease risk and preparedness and response, and as a key to addressing the silent burden of health-related infections. protection (HAI). ) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It positions the CPI in the context of strengthening the health system and providing high quality services, with the aim of improving the safety of patients and health professionals.
The resolution, which comes at a time when COVID-19 has clearly demonstrated the critical role of a good IPC in protecting people, provides 13 recommendations to member states. They range from involving the IPC as a key component in global emergency preparedness, prevention and response, to providing sustainable IPC programs and VASH infrastructure and resources at the national, sub-national and healthcare levels in all countries.
Earlier this week, the WHO issued the first global report on infection, prevention and control, noting that in low- and middle-income countries, 15 out of 100 people who visit a health facility will leave a health facility with a new infection, and estimates that half of the world’s health facilities will basic water supplies are missing. The report provides a global analysis of the situation on how IPC programs are implemented in countries around the world. It also emphasizes the harm to patients and healthcare professionals caused by HIA and AMR; deals with the impact and cost-effectiveness of the IPC program; and proposes strategies, resources and key priorities to countries to improve the CPI.
Links:
Draft resolution: Global strategy on infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control
Global strategies for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections
In the final discussion of the World Health Assembly, member states gratefully noted the new global health sector strategies for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022-2030.
Global health sector strategies aim to re-launch momentum in responding to these diseases that have been disrupted by service disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, they intended to strengthen responses to specific diseases while increasingly integrating them into wider health frameworks and using opportunities, where feasible, to increase impact by addressing disease aspects together.
Strategies require a more precise focus in order to reach the people who are most affected and who are most at risk for each disease, as well as to address inequalities. They promote synergies within universal health coverage and primary health care frameworks. They also list actions to identify and manage future outbreaks of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, as well as other emerging health threats as they arise.
HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections are ongoing and persistent public health challenges and together account for 2.3 million deaths and are associated with 1.2 million cancers each year.
Links
Global programs for HIV, hepatitis and STIs