WHO compendium of innovative health technologies for low-resource settings 2024

Book excerpt: Access to appropriate, affordable, effective, and safe health technologies is paramount, especially in low-resource settings, where burden of non-communicable diseases adds on to the infectious diseases. NCDs account for a staggering 74% of global deaths, with 86% of premature fatalities occurring in resource-constrained regions. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes collectively contribute to over 80% of these premature NCD-related deaths. Addressing this challenge requires targeted interventions and innovative solutions tailored to LMICs. The 2024 Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies for low-resource settings includes commercially available solutions and prototypes. This 7th edition showcases 21 technologies, each with a full assessment. It also includes updates for technologies previously featured in previous compendia editions. Assessments include clinical aspects, relation to WHO technical specifications, regulatory compliance, criteria on health technology assessment and health technology management, local production viability, and intellectual property considerations. Beyond presenting these innovations, the Compendium serves as a catalyst for increased interaction among stakeholders—ministries of health, procurement officers, donors, developers, biomedical engineers, clinicians, and users. By providing evidence-based assessments and relevant information, it aims to drive use of innovative health technology and expand global access, particularly for low-resource settings for populations in need.