Riyadh, March 22, 2025 – Arabic has been officially added to the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) system, marking a historic achievement announced at the International Healthcare Technology Management Conference in Riyadh this February. This accomplishment solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a bridge between the Arab world and the global medical community.
A three-year project launched in 2022 by the Medical Electrical Equipment Maintenance Professionals Association (MEEMPA), in collaboration with the GMDN Agency and supported by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission’s Tarjim Initiative, made this possible. The project adhered to international standards, and translations followed ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 requirements to ensure precision and quality in medical terminology.
A local translation office, accredited by the commission, translated 30,000 medical terms covering around 1.8 million words, with 900,000 words already published on the GMDN Agency’s online platform. The remaining terms are expected to be published in the coming months.
The GMDN system, recognized globally by over 7,000 medical device manufacturers, plays a crucial role in standardizing medical device terminology, aiding regulatory compliance, and improving patient safety. Experts at the conference highlighted that adding Arabic to the GMDN is a milestone that connects Arab healthcare providers to the global medical community. Saudi and Arab healthcare institutions can now create free accounts on the GMDN Agency’s platform, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Health Sector Transformation Program and fostering health integration across Arab nations.