According to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, the PTI-led federal government has finalized the strategy for introducing auto-disabling syringes in all public and private hospitals in the country.
An auto-disabling syringe automatically becomes unusable after one use. These syringes will help to contain the spread of diseases and infections arising from the repeated use of single-use syringes.
By the end of April 2020, single-use syringes will be replaced with auto-disabling syringes in all public and private health facilities, said Dr. Zafar Mirza.
Repeated usage of single-use syringes was the biggest reason behind the recent HIV outbreak witnessed in Larkana, Sindh, where more than 1,000 people were tested positive for HIV. Children were the primary victims of the HIV outbreak as around 800 children contracted the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the HIV outbreak as a Grade 2 Emergency.
Healthcare authorities are investigating the incident of the HIV outbreak in Larkana. To prevent such incidents from happening in the future, the federal government has approved the establishment of an injection safety committee and task force.
For successful implementation of the strategy to introduce auto-disabling syringes, the government has held talks with syringe manufacturers and importers, said Dr. Mirza. Relevant stakeholders have ensured the government of their complete support in this regard.
Moreover, Dr. Mirza underscored the role pharmacists can play in creating awareness in the general population regarding injection safety and adverse effects of repeated usage of single-use syringes.
In the coming days, the Ministry of Health will initiate a media campaign to bring awareness in the general population about auto-disabling syringes.
Via: The Nation
