Punjab first state to implement injection-safety programme

Punjab has become the first state in the country where injection-safety programme is being implemented in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), a minister said on Friday.

"With support from WHO, we are releasing the action plan for injection safety programme. Punjab is also the first state in the country where injection-safety programme is being implemented in collaboration with WHO," Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said here.

Mohindra, while addressing health department officials here after the state government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) in this regard, said the Punjab Health Department will be introducing RUPs (Re-use Prevention Syringes) in the state so that blood-borne infections cannot spread from one patient to another.

"From now onwards, the WHO and Health Department, Punjab, together will work in sensitising the general public regarding safe injections," Mohindra said.

FIND will support the Punjab Health Department by providing rapid test kits for screening of high-risk patients like HIV patients and IVDU (Intravenous Drug Users) patients coming to centres for Hepatitis C treatment.

Punjab is said to have high incidence of drugs abuse, particularly through the IV methods.The present Congress government, which assumed office in March this year, has cracked down on the drugs trade in the state.

--IANS

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