Medical devices and eHealth solutions have the potential to save lives. However, too many worldwide suffer because they do not have access to appropriate health care technology.
The compendium series of innovative medical devices and eHealth solutions has been created as a neutral platform for technologies which are likely to be suitable for use in low-resource settings. It presents a snapshot of several health technologies which might have the potential to improve health outcomes or to offer a solution to an unmet medical need in low-resource settings. The compendium specifically focuses on showcasing innovative technologies that are not yet widely available in developing countries. It is released to encourage the dialogue between ministries of health, procurement officers, donors, technology developers, manufacturers, clinicians, academics and the general public. In doing so, WHO aims at raising awareness of the pressing need for appropriate and affordable design solutions and for further development and technology dissemination.
All submissions to the Call for innovative health technologies for low-resource settings underwent an evaluation process; technologies were assessed by an expert panel based on the material and evidence provided by the applicant as well as publicly available information. Technologies in the compendium are presented in one page summarizing the health problem addressed, the proposed solution and product specifications, based on data and information provided by the developers of the technologies concerned.
