Use a new safety syringe

In 2010, as many as 1.7 million people were estimated to be infected with hepatitis b, 315,000 were infected with hepatitis c and 33,800 contracted HIV due to unsafe injections, according to new who research. Use the same syringe, or needle injection for people contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, if the medical and health institutions to be able to take a "safe" syringes, can avoid unnecessary infection, the world health organization is to launch a new injection safety policy and a global movement, to assist countries in solving the problem of the prevalence of unsafe injections.




There are cases in every country in the world

In fact, infections from injections are not uncommon. After an outbreak of hepatitis c in the us state of Nevada in 2007, it was traced to a doctor who injected an anesthetic into a patient with hepatitis c and then used the same syringe to extract multiple anesthetics from the same vial of hepatitis c virus for several other patients. This is the same with the outbreak of hepatitis c in anhui and henan in 2011.

In response, Dr. Edward kelley, director of who's department of service delivery and security, said, "we know why. One reason is that in many countries they are considered to be the most effective treatment and therefore want injections. Another reason is that in developing countries, many private health workers inject injections into patients to make up for the meagre income that may not be enough to support their families ".

Injection is not the first option for treatment but an oral alternative

In total, 16 billion injections are administered each year, according to who data, about 5 percent of which are used for childhood and adult immunizations, and 5 percent for other procedures such as blood transfusions and birth control pills. The remaining 90 per cent of injections are administered through intramuscular (intramuscular) or skin (subcutaneous or intradermal) injections.

But many injections are unnecessary or can be replaced by oral medication. One of China's top ten principles for safe and rational use of drugs in 2013 * is: "use drugs according to the principle of no use, no use, no use, no oral injection, no infusion".

Dr. Gottfried hirnschall, director of who's HIV/AIDS division, said, "the use of syringes with safety devices is extremely important to prevent people from contracting HIV and hepatitis and other diseases around the world. This should be an issue that countries urgently need to address ".

"Safe" syringes are recommended to enhance injection safety education

Who recommends new "safe" syringes for muscle or skin injections to prevent reuse. Some syringes have a thin spot on the plunger, which can break if the user tries to pull the plunger back after the injection. Some syringes have a metal button in them to stop the plunger being pulled. Some syringes shrink back into the syringe after injection.

In addition, by placing a safety device in the syringe, health workers can be prevented from being infected by needle stab wounds. After the injection is completed, the needle is automatically covered with a sheath or cover to prevent accidental stab wounds and possible infection.

Who urges countries to switch to new "safe" syringes altogether by 2020. There are exceptions only if the syringe cannot be reused after a single use, which interferes with treatment procedures (e.g., intravenous infusion for the patient).

Who calls for policies and standards on procurement, safe use and safe disposal of potentially reusable syringes, including controls on the provision of syringes to syringers.

Continuing to provide injection safety training to health workers is another important strategy recommended and supported by who for decades. Who calls on manufacturers to start or expand production of "safe" syringes that meet the energy, quality and safety standards identified by the organization as early as possible.

Vaccination safety campaigns have seen results in developing countries where the number of injections per capita has fallen from 3.4 to 2.9

"This new policy is an important step in a long-term strategy to increase injection safety through international cooperation," said Dr Kelley. We have made considerable progress.

Between 2000 and 2010, the safety campaign accelerated, with the number of reusable injection devices in developing countries falling sevenfold. Over the same period, the number of unnecessary injections was reduced. The number of injections per person in developing countries fell from 3.4 to 2.9. In 1999, who and its partners urged developing countries to use only syringes that automatically fail after a single use to vaccinate children. Since then, most developing countries have switched to this approach.

Unsecured syringes purchased by United Nations agencies for developing countries cost an average of 3 to 4 cents, while new syringes cost at least twice that. Who calls on donors to support the switch to new "safe" syringes. It expects prices to fall gradually as demand increases.