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Importance of Using Sterile and Disposable Syringes

by Savitha C Muppala on Dec 16 2008 8:46 PM

NGO Safe Point Trust UK, that came into existence in 2006, has launched a massive awareness campaign throughout India against reuse of disposable syringes.

NGO Safe Point Trust UK, that came into existence in 2006, with the sole purpose of creating awareness about the dangers of using unsterilised syringes, has launched a massive awareness campaign throughout India about the criticality of using sterile and disposable syringes.

Marc Koska, Founder of the SafePoint Trust, health minister Dr Ambumani Ramadoss, Dr R K Srivastava, director general of health services and A Johari, joint secretary took part in the discussions which followed the campaign.

It was decided that with effect from April 2009, government hospitals will begin to use only auto-disable (AD) syringes.

“It will take a few months for the auto-disable syringes to replace the old ones,” said Marc Koska.

A study undertaken by the IndiaCLEN Program Evaluation Network showed that nearly 65% of syringes used nationwide are reused- which means they have not been disposed properly, increasing the risk of infection.

“The study shows that around 3 lakh people in India die due to the use of unsterilised or non-disposable syringes,” he said.

According to Koska, 6 billion syringes are required by India every year. The shortfall of syringes is 4 billion.

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