Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to impose a nationwide ban on the manufacture and use of substandard syringes as part of efforts to curb the spread of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.
The directive was issued during a meeting to review measures aimed at preventing the spread of communicable diseases, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The meeting was attended by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister of State for Health Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, representatives of the Global Fund, the Ministry of National Health Services, DRAP, public health experts and other senior officials.
The prime minister ordered strict legal action against individuals and healthcare facilities found using non-compliant syringes or guilty of negligence in preventing their use.
He also directed the formation of a committee of health experts to develop recommendations for controlling infectious diseases, with instructions to consult provincial governments before finalising its proposals.