Essential Diagnostic List Issued by WHO

Most people around the world are unable to get tested for diseases because they cannot access diagnostic services.

Moreover, many people are incorrectly diagnosed. 

Which means, they may not receive the appropriate treatment and in some cases, may actually receive the wrong treatment. 

To address this gap, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first Essential Diagnostics List, which is a catalog of the tests needed to diagnose the most common conditions.

Similar to the WHO Essential Medicines List, which has been in use for four decades, the Essential Diagnostics List is intended to serve as a reference for countries to update or develop their own list of essential diagnostics.

“An accurate diagnosis is the first step to getting effective treatment,” says Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “No one should suffer or die because of a lack of diagnostic services, or because the right tests were not available.”

This WHO list concentrates on in vitro tests - i.e. tests of human specimens like blood and urine. It contains 113 products: 58 tests are listed for detection and diagnosis of a wide range of common conditions, providing an essential package that can form the basis for screening and management of patients.  

The remaining 55 tests are designed for the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of “priority” diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis B and C, human papillomavirus and syphilis.

The Essential Diagnostics List was developed following an extensive consultation within WHO and externally. The WHO will update the Essential Diagnostics List on a regular basis. 

The WHO list will expand significantly over the next few years, as it incorporates other important areas including antimicrobial resistance, emerging pathogens, neglected tropical diseases and additional noncommunicable diseases.

In the USA, consumers can order a diagnostic test from various commercial sources, including from medical practices and pharmacies.