Disposable syringes phased out
THE Ministry of Health has stopped further importation of standard disposable syringes.
By Chris Kiwawulo
THE Ministry of Health has stopped further importation of standard disposable syringes.
Dr. Sam Zaramba, the director general of health services, said the ministry now favoured those with re-use prevention features in the provision of curative services.
“The new syringes are automatically disabled after use, leaving no chance for being used again, unlike the standard disposable ones,†a health ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
The official said the ministry recommended syringes with re-use prevention features to avert the spread of diseases, especially HIV, which many people had contracted through re-use of syringes.
Zaramba, in a statement issued yesterday, advised all importers for pharmaceuticals not to enter new procurement arrangements for the standard disposable syringes.
He said only importers who had already made orders for the standard disposable syringes would be allowed to bring them into the country.
“Standard disposable syringes will not be allowed into the country after June 30, 2007,†he said and notified the National Drug Authority’s executive secretary and the Uganda Revenue Authority (commissioner customs) of the stoppage.
The health ministry has since last year been sensitising health workers and the public about the benefits of using the recommended auto-disposable syringes.
THE Ministry of Health has stopped further importation of standard disposable syringes.
Dr. Sam Zaramba, the director general of health services, said the ministry now favoured those with re-use prevention features in the provision of curative services.
“The new syringes are automatically disabled after use, leaving no chance for being used again, unlike the standard disposable ones,†a health ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
The official said the ministry recommended syringes with re-use prevention features to avert the spread of diseases, especially HIV, which many people had contracted through re-use of syringes.
Zaramba, in a statement issued yesterday, advised all importers for pharmaceuticals not to enter new procurement arrangements for the standard disposable syringes.
He said only importers who had already made orders for the standard disposable syringes would be allowed to bring them into the country.
“Standard disposable syringes will not be allowed into the country after June 30, 2007,†he said and notified the National Drug Authority’s executive secretary and the Uganda Revenue Authority (commissioner customs) of the stoppage.
The health ministry has since last year been sensitising health workers and the public about the benefits of using the recommended auto-disposable syringes.