Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a substandard syringes ban across Pakistan, directing authorities to immediately stop the manufacture and use of non-compliant syringes. The move aims to curb the spread of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, while strengthening public health safeguards nationwide.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting reviewing measures to control communicable diseases. Senior officials, health experts, representatives of the Ministry of National Health Services, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Attorney General’s Office, and international health partners attended the session to discuss urgent reforms.
The prime minister ordered strict legal action against individuals, healthcare workers, and hospitals involved in the use of substandard syringes or found negligent in preventing their use. He stressed that accountability is essential to protect patients and restore confidence in the healthcare system.
To strengthen disease prevention efforts, PM Shehbaz instructed the formation of a committee of health experts to prepare recommendations for controlling infectious diseases. The committee has been directed to consult provincial governments before submitting a comprehensive national strategy for implementation.
The premier also tasked the Ministry of Law with reviewing existing legislation and proposing amendments where necessary. In addition, DRAP was instructed to engage with the medical devices industry and recommend long-term policy measures to permanently eliminate health risks linked to unsafe syringe practices.
Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating communicable diseases. He called for greater focus on improving the local manufacturing of medical equipment and ensuring internationally recognized training standards for healthcare professionals across Pakistan.
The substandard syringes ban follows growing concerns over alleged medical negligence linked to a reported HIV outbreak at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital, where contaminated disposable syringes were allegedly reused. Authorities hope the new measures will strengthen healthcare regulations, improve patient safety, and reduce the spread of preventable infectious diseases across the country.
