Medical devices include thousands of types of medical technologies which purpose includes protection, prevention, diagnostic, treatment, monitoring and palliation. They are used across the health care system, from primary health care level to specialized care. They range from surgical masks to complex radiotherapy equipment. Their value chain includes manufacturing, regulation, selection, assessment and management that involve procurement, supply, training, maintenance, safe use and decommissioning.

The functions of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Medical Devices (STAG MEDEV) include the following: 

1. to identify and describe current and future challenges relative to medical devices and related health technologies, to support the work of WHO with Member States towards reaching the relevant Sustainable Development Goals target;
2. to provide technical advice to WHO on global policies and strategies on medical devices and their linkages with other health systems elements, to support universal health coverage and global public health security;
3. to advise WHO on the adequacy of progress towards the achievement of medical devices related objectives set in the World Health Assembly resolutions;
4. to provide independent evaluation of the scientific technical and strategic aspects of access to good quality, affordable, appropriate, safe and efficacious medical devices;
5. to provide strategic advice to WHO on the development, update and implementation of the WHO priority and essential medical devices lists, in line with the work of other WHO expert groups and committees;
6. to advise WHO on devising strategies for investment on appropriate priority medical technologies for primary health care;
7. to advise WHO on strategies for increased access to medical devices for early diagnosis, effective treatment, continuous monitoring and protection;
8. to recommend priorities within the Organization and/or relevant technical unit  related to the field of work of STAG-MEDEV;
9. to advise WHO on strategic directions to be prioritized on all types of medical devices; and
10. to review and make such recommendations to WHO on issues related to medical devices  process as: policies, naming, innovation, selection, regulation, management and safe use until decommissioning.