THE W.H.O PRODUCES A LIST OF 'ESSENTIAL' VACCINES

For the first time ever, the World Health Organization has published a list of essential diagnostic tests that are important to every health care system in the world. The goal of this list was to provide a "global guide" to rational treatment regimes and prompt the need for certain diagnostic tests to be available to the whole world, regardless of the price. The hope is that such a test becomes revolutionary when it comes to global health. 

Source: WHO

While some have expressed excitement over such an idea, others have expressed concern that the fact that a diagnostic test is listed does not necessarily guarantee access to such tests in third-world countries. 

The list enlists 113 diagnostics tests. 58 are the routine blood and urine tests that are run in most American medical facilities for measurements of red and white blood cells, blood sugar, liver enzymes, pregnancy etc. The remaining 55 are tests for diseases such as H.I.V, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HPV, and syphilis. The members of the panel hope to expand the list by adding diagnostic tests for viruses like flu, antibiotic resistance in bacteria, cancer, heart diseases and other illnesses. In addition to the diseases, the W.H.O also intends to add a diagnostic equipment category. 

Source: Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp

Correct diagnosis of an ailment is usually the difference between good treatments and poor treatments. With a global guiding list of diagnostic tests, it will set universal standards and prompt the diagnostics industry to lower their prices, so as to make equipment and kits more affordable universally through demand and supply. 

We do hope such a list is able to achieve its desired objectives and goals for the wrong diagnosis can lead to an unexpected death or complication.