From List to Impact: Operationalizing National Essential Diagnostics Lists
Mohammad Ameel / WHO SEARO
© Credits

From List to Impact: Operationalizing National Essential Diagnostics Lists

Diagnostics are the entry point to every health intervention - without diagnosis, there is no treatment.

Yet, access to diagnostics is as low as only 19% in low- and middle-income countries.

The gap is not a lack of knowledge about what tests are needed — it is the absence of systems to deliver them.

National Essential Diagnostics Lists (NEDLs) help countries define which tests should be available at different levels of care. The list alone does not guarantee that diagnostics become available, affordable, quality-assured, and used for decision-making.

WHO SEARO’s current operationalization work focuses on moving from policy lists to health-system implementation across governance, service delivery, procurement, quality management, monitoring, and digital/data systems.

WHO SEARO is developing a Regional NEDL Implementation Guidance Document — a practical, country-facing playbook connecting NEDLs with facility-wise test menus, procurement and supply planning, quality assurance, referral pathways, monitoring, and digital reporting. 

Presentation

Draft Guidance – Six Implementation Domains

1 Strategic planning and situational analysis

methods for assessing policy, infrastructure, workforce, service delivery, and diagnostic gaps across levels of care.

2 Policy and governance

strengthening policy, regulatory frameworks, operational models, accountability structures, and institutional arrangements.

3 Procurement, supply chain, and equipment lifecycle

translating NEDL priorities into procurement systems, equipment management, and supply continuity.

4 Human resources and service delivery

competency-based training, workforce optimization, sample referral, and implementation planning.

5 Quality assurance and standards

IQC/EQA, quality control, laboratory quality systems, and accreditation pathways.

6 Data, monitoring, and digital systems

LIMS/HMIS integration, dashboards, KPIs, monitoring mechanisms, and gap-analysis tools.

Collaborate With Us

WHO SEARO is seeking structured inputs from countries, technical experts, researchers, and partners who can contribute implementation experience, case examples, tools, and practical lessons.

1 Technical Review

Review draft sections, indicators, implementation domains, or tools when available.

2 Country Dialogue

Discuss country priorities, readiness, bottlenecks, and possible adaptation needs.

3 Case-Study Contribution

Share documented experience on NEDL implementation, procurement, quality systems, monitoring, digital tools, sample referral, or diagnostic network strengthening.

4 Pilot Implementation Interest

Express interest in testing tools, monitoring approaches, dashboards, or country implementation pathways when feasible.

5 Partner Alignment

Explore technical exchange, expert consultation, knowledge dissemination, or coordinated support around implementation tools and country learning. Internal materials already frame possible engagement as technical exchange, co-design of digital tools, shared learning, and expert consultation forums.

NB: This ongoing, in-development WHO SEARO technical activity should not be cited as finalized WHO guidance, policy, or publication.

Inputs received through this process will inform technical development, review, and future dissemination, subject to WHO processes and clearances.

Connect - Click the link or scan the QR code to:

  • register your interest;
  • indicate your preferred collaboration pathway;
  • share a country example or
  • implementation challenge;
  • request a technical discussion;
  • receive updates as the draft guidance develops.

Contact:
Mohammad Ameel
Technical Officer, Health Technologies
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Email: ameelm@who.int 

 

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