…canvasses use of auto-disable syringes

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA—The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday, warned that the spread of infectious diseases in the country might increase in the nearest future, unless strategies aimed at dissuading unwholesome injection practices among Nigerians were evolved.

Director General of NAFDAC, Mr. Paul Orhii, who made this disclosure while flagging-off a sensitization campaign on injection safety, tasked the Federal Government to institutionalize mechanisms that would ensure that only auto-disable syringes were permitted in the country.

The NAFDAC boss, who restated the commitment of the agency towards safeguarding the health of the nation through strengthened national and international collaborations, however, insisted that unless the availability of injection safety devices and sustainable healthcare waste management system were ensured, poor injection safety practices would remain a critical threat to public health in the country.

According to him, “a safe injection is one that does not harm the recipient, does not expose the provider to any avoidable risks and does not result in waste that is dangerous to the community.

“It is sad to note that of the 16 billion injections given annually worldwide according to WHO estimates; too many are unnecessary and unsafe.

“The combination of re-use of needles and inadequate sharp waste disposal contributes, in no small measure, to the spread of HIV and Hepatitis B and C in communities already burdened by poverty and disease. The serious potential threat posed to public health is of grave concern.

“It behoves us all to work together to ensure that the campaign on injection safety reaches all nooks and crannies of our great country and I must sincerely thank First Medicals and Sterile Products for manufacturing safe syringes and medical devices in Nigeria.

“This provides tremendous benefits to our people, not only protecting public health but also by providing quality job opportunities to Nigerians.”

In her remarks, the Minster of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was a guest at the event, enjoined NAFDAC to ensure that it upheld its mandate to the nation, saying it was the only way the agency could continue to enjoy public confidence.