MEDICAL SERVICES & DEVICES
Medical device shortages are becoming an increasingly urgent issue, according to the US Food and Drug Administration( FDA), particularly in paediatrics, where specialised equipment for neonatal and young patients is vital.
These shortages expose significant vulnerabilities in the supply chain, risking the safety and care of patients who rely on devices such as ventilators, hemodialysis catheters and tracheostomy tubes.
As the US lags behind global counterparts in addressing these supply challenges, the pressure to reform and strengthen resilience has never been greater.
Critical challenges in paediatric medical device shortages Paediatric patients face unique risks during medical device shortages. They require devices specifically designed for smaller, fragile bodies, making adult-sized alternatives unsuitable and often dangerous.
Neonatal intensive care units( NICUs) and children requiring long-term interventions are among those most affected. A lack of appropriately-sized equipment forces healthcare providers to adapt adult-sized devices, which can result in higher rates of complications, suboptimal care and increased safety risks.
Supply chain vulnerabilities are not new, but their impact is growing. Shortages stem from a variety
84 April 2025