Question : UNSAFE INJECTIONS



(a) whether as per WHO report one in every 10 patients is suffering from medical error in developed countries and the figure is very high in the case of developing countries;

(b) if so, whether the WHO has suggested for improving patient safety during his treatment;

(c) if so, whether the Government has examined the report of WHO; and

(d) if so, the outcome thereof and the corrective steps taken or likely to be taken by the Government for the safety of patients?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) to (d) : There is no specific report of WHO mentioning that one in every 10 patients around the world suffer from medical errors and that the figure is high in the case of developing countries. However, on 2nd May,2007, WHO has launched the “Nine Patient Safety Solutions” to reduce medical errors which reportedly affect one in every 10 patients around the world. These nine solutions will be available in an accessible form for use and adaptation by all WHO Member countries including India to re-design patient care processes and make them safer.

The Government has been associated with various WHO programmes relating to patient care like
(i) launch of the Global Safety Challenge 2005-06 with the theme “Clean Care is safer Care” focusing on WHO guidelines on “Hand Hygiene and Health Care” for adoption in the hospitals,
(ii) signing of the pledge relating to Global Patient Safety Challenge in July, 2006 with the commitment to address health care associated infection in the country etc.

National AIDS Control Programme III includes Infection Control & Waste Management Plan while NRHM also has guidelines for waste management and infection control in Government health care institutions at all levels.