Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a complete ban on the manufacturing and use of substandard syringes across Pakistan to curb the spread of infectious diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis C.
Chairing a meeting to review the measures taken to prevent infectious diseases in Islamabad on Friday, PM Shehbaz ordered legal action against individuals and hospitals using substandard syringes or demonstrating criminal negligence in curbing their use.
The prime minister directed the formation of a special committee of experts to control infectious diseases and instructed the committee to hold consultations with the provinces while formulating its recommendations.
The prime minister directed the Ministry of Law to propose necessary amendments to the legal and regulatory framework, in coordination with the relevant institutions.
Emphasising a comprehensive national strategy and its effective implementation as the only solution to the issue, he directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to propose policy measures in consultation with the medical equipment industry to permanently prevent the spread of infectious diseases through syringes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also underscored the support of international partners in the ongoing efforts to curb the spread of infectious diseases, besides stressing special attention to the manufacturing of medical equipment and the training of healthcare staff.
The meeting was briefed by the Special Task Force, established on the prime minister’s directives, and the Ministry of National Health Services regarding the measures taken to control the spread of infectious diseases.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister of State for Health Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan, Global Fund representative Izaskun Gaviria, public health experts, and representatives from the Ministry of National Health Services, DRAP, and senior government officials.
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