Hospital cuts use of disposable syringes

Hospital authorities, however, say they were forced to take this step due to a 35 per cent cut in their Budget demand by the AMC and the increased salary bills after implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission’s recommendations.“There are very few areas where we can actually cut down on expenditure,” and this is one, according to hospital superintendent M.H. Makwana.

Municipal Commissioner K. Kailashnathan,however, denies the budget has been slashed. “On the contrary, there is a 10 to 15 per cent increase in their budget over last year. What they call a cut is actually a cut from the viewpoint of their monetary demand,” he says.

Makwana adds that glass syringes are used only after autoclaving and hence are perfectly safe. Asked to comment, state Health Commissioner R.M. Patel says use of disposable syringes “is not mandatory” although medical experts point out that autoclaving, if not done properly, is risky.

Commissioner of Food and Drug Control Administration S P Adeshara says autoclaving is unsafe because of the human factor involved. Dr Laxman Malodia, Director of the AMC-run AIDS Control Society, endorses his view, saying infection cannot be ruled out if human skin is pricked with a needle blunted due to frequent use, or if the syringe gets salt deposits.

Makwana says things could worsen if the hosptial fails to clear the suppliers’ dues amounting to Rs 1 crore. “They are threatening to stopsupplies and, if that happens, the patients would be asked to purchase IV sets from outside,” he says.

He puts the blame for the cash crunch at the hospital on corporators who he says are misusing their power to recommend poor patients for free treatment.