On April 7th, 2023, the world will celebrate World Health Day. This year’s theme is “Health for All,” which emphasizes the need for collective action to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being.

It is also an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today ̶  and tomorrow.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crucial role that public health plays in protecting individuals and communities from infectious diseases and other health threats. It has also shown that investing in public health infrastructure, preparedness, and equity is essential for ensuring the health and wellbeing of populations around the world. World Health Day 2023 provides an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned from the pandemic and to renew our commitment to build a healthier future for all.

The right to health is a basic human right. Everyone must have access to the health services they need when and where they need them without financial hardship.

Yet, access to quality health care remains a challenge for many people around the world. 30% of the global population is not able to access essential health services. Almost two billion people face catastrophic or impoverishing health spending, with significant inequalities affecting those in the most vulnerable settings.

To build a healthier future together, we need collaboration across sectors and disciplines to address inequalities in health care access and resources. We need: individuals and communities who have access to high quality health services so that they can take care of their own health and that of their families; skilled health workers providing quality, people-centred care; and policy-makers committed to investing in universal health coverage.

Innovative technologies and digital solutions can also play a crucial role in building a healthier future. From telemedicine to mobile health apps, these tools can improve access to health care, enhance patient engagement, and enable more efficient and effective health care delivery.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has a few standards related to health and healthcare, such as ISO 9001 quality management systems applying to healthcare sectors, ISO 13485  medical device quality management systems specific for medical device industry, ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management systems for all types of industry and ISO 15189 for medical laboratories. These standards help ensure that healthcare providers and manufacturers maintain high standards of quality and safety in their products and services, as well as the health and safety of their workers.

ISO 13485 Medical Device Quality Management Systems

ISO 13485 is an international standard that outlines the requirements for a quality management system (QMS) specific to the medical devices industry. It is designed to be used by organizations throughout the life cycle of a medical device, from initial conception to production and post-production, including final decommission and disposal. It also covers aspects such as storage, distribution, installation and servicing, and the provision of associated services.

Implementing ISO 13485 can bring several benefits to organizations involved in the manufacture, design, distribution, and servicing of medical devices, including:

• Compliance with regulatory requirements: help organizations meet regulatory requirements and demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety.
• Improved product quality: ISO 13485 provides a framework for quality management that emphasizes risk management, process control, and continuous improvement thus improving the quality and reliability of their products, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction: help to meet customer needs and expectations, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Improved risk management: ISO 13485 requires companies to establish risk management processes that help identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with their products.
• Access to new markets: Many countries require medical device manufacturers to comply with ISO 13485 as a condition of market access. By implementing ISO 13485, organizations can expand their market reach and take advantage of new business opportunities.

Overall, ISO 13485 can help organizations in the medical device industry to improve their quality management systems, increase customer satisfaction, reduce risk, and enhance their competitiveness in the global marketplace.

For more information on ISO 13485: https://gicgrp.com/certifications/iso-13485-medical-device-quality-management-system/

On World Health Day 2023, let us come together to build a healthier future for all. By working together, we can ensure that everyone has access to quality health care and that we address the underlying social determinants of health.

References:

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/

For more information about the article, you may contact:

Lydia Annie Ho
Marketing Manager
Email                : lydiaannie.ho@gicgrp.com
Tel                    : +65 6742 3075