WHO publishes updated List of Essential (in vitro) Diagnostics

The first List of Essential Diagnostics was published in 2018, concentrating on HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. The 2019 list has been expanded to include more non-communicable and communicable diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) List of Essential Diagnostics for infectious diseases focuses on additional infectious diseases prevalent in low- and middle-income countries such as cholera, and neglected diseases like leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, dengue and zika. In addition, a new section for influenza testing was added for community health settings where no laboratories are available.

The update includes a new section specific to tests intended for screening of blood donations, in response to a WHO-wide strategy to make blood transfusions safer.

Source: WHO, 9 July 2019