The World Health Organization (WHO), since 2018, has been publishing an essential diagnostics list (EDL) every year in order to address inadequate access to tests and testing services in several countries. The list includes the recommended in vitro diagnostics that must be available at point-of-care and in laboratories across all countries to assist with timely diagnoses.

The agency has published the latest edition of the list which includes WHO-recommended COVID-19 tests, both PCR and antigen tests. It also expands the series of tests for vaccine-preventable, infectious as well as non-communicable diseases, and also introduces a section on endocrinology. The list, for the first time, includes tests that should not be supplied in countries, either on account of their poor cost-effectiveness, unreliability or having been overtaken by newer, easier to use tests… (WHO, January 29, 2021)