9-11 September 2010, Bangkok, Thailand
Convened in Bangkok, Thailand, from 9-11 September 2010, the First WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices built on previous work, knowledge and experience. It was a pivotal point in advancing collaborative efforts to improve access to appropriate medical devices globally. Participants included:
- high-level policy-makers from Member States
- organizations representing patients
- nongovernmental organizations
- health professionals
- researchers
- academic institutions
- professional organizations
- biomedical engineering institutions
- umbrella organizations in the medical devices industry
- UN affiliated organizations.
Objectives
- To demonstrate evidence on the need for appropriate evaluation, prioritization, regulation, assessment, management and research strategies on medical devices;
- To share knowledge on available resources: guidelines, tools, strategies, policies and best practices at national and regional levels and determine the needs;
- To bring together policy makers, professional organizations, funding agencies and key stakeholders to foster interdisciplinary partnerships and cultivate the aim of reaching a common goal of accessible medical devices.
Expected outcomes
- Identification of recommended actions that can be taken for the improvement in availability, accessibility, appropriate selection, assessment, regulation, management, safety and use of medical devices in line with the World Health Assembly resolution (WHO60.29) on health technologies;
- Compilation of best practices, available resources, tools and guidelines on medical devices for integration into national health plans;
- A network of interdisciplinary professionals who will continue to support the role of medical devices in health systems.
Participants from 106 countries attended the three-day Global Forum to discuss and explore existing and potential challenges and opportunities for promoting access to innovative, appropriate, affordable and high quality medical devices. A crucial outcome of the Global Forum was a consensus on the priorities for future action, resulting in agreed recommendations. For a complete outlook please refer to the First WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices Report