Technology support to service delivery is hampered by some systematic weaknesses, particularly in low- and middle-income countries of the Region.A medical device is an article, instrument, apparatus or machine that is used in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease, or for detecting, measuring, restoring, correcting or modifying the structure or function of the body for some health purpose. Typically, the purpose of a medical device is not achieved by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means.

The health and biomedical devices programme in the Eastern Mediterranean Region was established in 2009 to deal with all issues related to health technology assessment and management, in particular medical devices. The programme aims at supporting countries in all phases of the health technology life cycle, including assessment and prioritization of needs, management of procurement and donation, installation and training, maintenance and disposal.

Sustainable access to essential medical devices and health technologies remains a huge challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Lack of appropriate selection of biomedical technology, and of maintenance budget, are serious issues. National regulatory institutions, with a few notable exceptions, remain fragmented and inadequate and the private sector is ineffectively regulated.