(a)whether the Government is aware of the views of WHO`s experts that three injections out of every four in India and other South Asian Countries are made of unsterilised needles exposing countless people to the risk of a number of infections as reported, in the Telegraph dated November 7, 2003;
(b)if so, the facts thereof; and
(c)the steps taken/proposed to be taken to ensure zero risk injection to the people?
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ)
(a) to (c)A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 239 FOR 17-12-2003.
(a) & (b) The Telegraph in its National edition of 7th November, 2003 published the article entitled `Injections unsafe in India: WHO`. According to this article, India amongst 7 other countries in the South East Asia Region of WHO where 75% of the injections are made with needles that have already been used to inject other people and not been properly sterilized.
In India the issue of unsafe injection practices and remedy thereof have been receiving highest priority and in order to assess the real situation a nationwide study was conducted. According to the study, 23.8% of injection equipment were of doubtful sterility and reuse of same syringe and needle accounted for 16.2%.
(c) The Government has initiated following steps to ensure the zero risk injection to the people:
(i) Standard Operative Procedures on Hospital Associated infections have been made available to all State AIDS Control Societies for further dissemination to various Government hospitals and clinics
(ii) Inclusion of use of sterilized syringes and needles in all awareness campaigns of National AIDS Control Programme
(iii) Training of medical and paramedical workers on hospital infection control measures including safe injection practices.
(iv) Supply of needle cutters to various Government hospitals through State AIDS Control Societies.
(v) Under the immunization programme to ensure proper sterilization of syringes and needles, pressure cooker sterilizers, stoves, assistance to procure fuel, glass syringes and needles are being supplied to all Government health facilities of States and Union territories.
(vi) Training on safe injection practices is being imparted as a part of regular training of all health functionaries.
(vii) Under the Pilot Project for introduction of Hepatitis B Vaccine, all vaccines are being administered using Auto Disable Syringes in the slums of 15 Cities and in 32 districts. Government is also actively considering introduction of Auto Disable Syringes for the Immunization Programme in a phased manner.
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