WHO

The WHO said that the list is intended to serve as a reference for countries to update or develop their own list of essential diagnostics.

With WHO prequalification, global health organizations can consider the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx for public-sector procurement in resource-limited countries.

The approval by WHO's Expert Review Panel for Diagnostics makes the test eligible for procurement by organizations that can access Global Fund and Unitaid resources.

GHTC, an advocacy group, said that member nations must contribute needed financial resources so that WHO can implement an effective diagnostics guide.

The essential diagnostics list — which may be available by early 2019 — has the potential to play an important role in guiding healthcare policies.

The kit is a qualitative nucleic acid assay designed to test for Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses simultaneously.