Unsafe injections main cause of hepatitis: NIH

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has observed that unchecked use of syringes was the major reason for the spread of hepatitis B and C in the country. “As revealed by available data there is a gross overuse of injections in Pakistan with startling figures of 13 injections per person per year. Unsafe injection practices was the main source of transmission of hepatitis B and C,” said Lt Gen (r) Karamat A Karamat, NIH executive director, while presiding over a meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was called to discuss the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) project on Injection Safety. The executive director said unchecked use of injections was the major public health challenge in the country. “The problem was of enormous magnitude with a large percentage of injections being given with re-used syringes and equipment without sterilisation.” General Karamat, who is also a pathologist, called upon professional medical associations in the country to take a strong stand in setting prescription standards and recommending safe injection procedures. He said professional associations should play a leading role in setting up practice recommendations for doctors, in Pakistan, to self-regulate the medical profession. Referring to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in injection safety in the country, he said introducing auto-disable syringes in the child and pregnant women immunisation programme was a laudable step. A WHO representative said the National Conference on Injection Safety would be convened soon to discuss the strategies and approaches towards injection safety in Pakistan. Dr Rehan Hafiz, EPI’s national programme manager, gave a comprehensive briefing on injection safety and the WHO focus project. staff report

Home | National