World Health Organisation reveals list of innovative Covid technologies

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a list of innovative technologies for Covid-19 and other diseases.

The 24 technologies are considered to have an “immediate and future impact” on Covid-19 preparedness and response, according to a statement from the organisation (WHO).

They also have the potential to improve health outcomes and offer a solution to an unmet medical need.

The compendium of technologies includes tele-education for Covid-19 to connect experts to clinicians around the globe; a Covid vaccination e-voucher tool to better track vaccine enrolments; a portable respiratory monitoring system; and ventilators with an extended battery that can be used where electricity is not available or unstable.

Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO assistant director general for access to health products, said: “Innovative technologies are accelerating access to healthcare everywhere, but we must ensure that they are readily available in all health facilities, fairly priced and quality-assured.

“WHO will continue to work with governments, funders and manufacturers to promote sustainable supplies of these tools during and beyond the Covid emergency.”

Some of the selected products are already addressing priority health problems in low-resource settings, according to the WHO.

A “critical example” is a smartphone application that allows the user to record accurate blood pressure measurements, it said in a statement.

The software-based platform transforms existing smartphones into a medical device capable of measuring blood pressure accurately.

Hypertension has increased from 650 million to 1.28 billion in the last 30 years with many people unaware they have the condition – yet technology can play a part in diagnosing the condition sooner.

Some 15 of the technologies are already commercially available.

All technologies were assessed against WHO standards for performance, quality and safety, affordability and regulatory approval.

A full list of the technologies and the reasons they were chosen can be found here.