32 per cent of injections in India unsafe : Study

Kochi, Nov 17 (UNI) A total 32 per cent of injections administered in India carry the risk of spreading blood-borne diseases due to re-use of syringes and needles, Paul Mallins, an independent consultant on injection safety and emergency response and who is working with UK-based SafePoint Trust, today said.

Quoting a study conducted by IndiaCLEN Programme Evaluation Network on behalf of the Union Health Ministry and World Bank titled 'Assessment of Injection Practices in India 2002-2005,' Mr Mallins said the problem was more prevalent in public hospitals compared to private ones and clinics.

''Kerala had the lowest risk rate of 14 per cent and the problem accounts for three lakh deaths annually across the country,'' he noted.' He said the parameters that were taken into account for the study was magnitude of injections in the Indian populace, proportion of unsafe injections administered both in public and private hospitals and proportion of prescriptions that include injections.

Besides, locally relevant determinants of prevailing injections pratices and current status of injection related waste were also taken into account, he added.

He said the Trust had launched a five-day campaign to create and inform the next generation by raising awareness, especially among children, of the dangers of unsafe injections.

The campaign would cost 700,000 Euros and the message would be conveyed through three-minute short films screened in over 300 cinema halls across the country and through airing television commercials.

UNI MA PMM KK AS1604