NMC warns of HIV, hepatitis risk from unsafe injections NEW DELHI: Alarmed by the possibility of patients contracting HIV and viral hepatitis through unsafe medical procedures, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges across the country to tighten injection safety practices, warning that such infections are entirely preventable but can occur when basic safeguards are ignored.In a nationwide advisory, the medical education regulator said unsafe injection practices can lead to outbreaks of blood-borne infections, including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, and asked institutions to ensure strict compliance with infection prevention and control norms.The Commission has ordered all medical colleges to use only sterile, single-use needles and syringes and strictly prohibit their reuse under any circumstances. It has also directed hospitals to strengthen hand hygiene practices and ensure proper segregation and disposal of injection-related waste.Calling patient safety a “non-negotiable mandate”, the NMC said there should be zero tolerance for practices such as syringe reuse, unsafe vial sharing, recapping of needles and improper disposal of sharps.The advisory assumes significance as India administers millions of injections every day across public and private healthcare facilities. Public health experts have long warned that even a single lapse in injection safety can expose multiple patients to potentially life-threatening infections.To reduce risks further, the NMC has advised medical colleges to progressively adopt safety-engineered auto-disable syringes that cannot be reused. Institutions have also been asked to conduct periodic training and competency assessments for healthcare workers handling injections and other invasive procedures.The regulator has directed hospitals to report needle-stick injuries and any cluster of infections for investigation. Hospital authorities have also been asked to ensure post-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare workers as per National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) guidelines and conduct regular audits through infection-control teams.The advisory underscores growing concern among health authorities that preventable healthcare-associated infections continue to pose a threat to patient safety and that strict adherence to standard protocols remains the most effective defence against transmission of blood-borne diseases.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Apologise Immediately’: Nepal Opposition Rips Into PM Balen Shah Over India Border RemarkAfter Amit Shah Meeting, Annamalai Exit Speculation Grows As New Party Talk IntensifiesCBSE-Coempt Dispute Escalates Amid Conflict Of Interest Claims And Strong Denials’Even Hitler Did Not…’: Mamata Slams BJP Over ‘Police Raj’ In Bengal, Attack On Abhishek Banerjee’Cooker Only’ Audio Row Deepens Congress Rift As Zameer Denies Viral Recording Claims | WatchSanjay Singh Confronts Police Officials During Student Interaction Over Exam Paper LeaksMonkey Snatches ₹2 Lakh Bag In UP Court, Climbs Tree And Showers Currency Notes From AboveIndia-US Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, First Tranche May Be Signed Soon: Piyush GoyalTMC Expels Two MLAs, Ritabrata Banerjee And Sandipan Saha, Amid Signature Mismatch RowRahul Gandhi flags ‘phone-scanned’ answer sheets as CBSE-OSM tender row deepens123Photostories10 baby names inspired by famous cities and destinations around the worldForget chemo or immunotherapy: ‘Revolutionary’ cancer jabs destroy tumours in treatment-resistant cases in trialFrom British rejection to fashion revolution: The story behind India’s most iconic saree momentMorning affirmation at 5 am: The early-morning words that can reset your mindsetOut of the shadows: The Women who made Madhubani art globalTracing the Indian Art forms that conquered the worldCucumber (Kheera) vs Snake Cucumber (Kakdi): Which is more hydrating and how much to consume dailyKatrina Kaif’s post-pregnancy style era is here, and it starts with a killer black overcoatHollywood’s ugliest custody battles: From Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to Rob Kardashian and Blac ChynaIs Anushka Sharma’s white ensemble RCB’s new lucky charm? 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NEW DELHI: Alarmed by the possibility of patients contracting HIV and viral hepatitis through unsafe medical procedures, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges across the country to tighten injection safety practices, warning that such infections are entirely preventable but can occur when basic safeguards are ignored.In a nationwide advisory, the medical education regulator said unsafe injection practices can lead to outbreaks of blood-borne infections, including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, and asked institutions to ensure strict compliance with infection prevention and control norms.The Commission has ordered all medical colleges to use only sterile, single-use needles and syringes and strictly prohibit their reuse under any circumstances. It has also directed hospitals to strengthen hand hygiene practices and ensure proper segregation and disposal of injection-related waste.Calling patient safety a “non-negotiable mandate”, the NMC said there should be zero tolerance for practices such as syringe reuse, unsafe vial sharing, recapping of needles and improper disposal of sharps.The advisory assumes significance as India administers millions of injections every day across public and private healthcare facilities. Public health experts have long warned that even a single lapse in injection safety can expose multiple patients to potentially life-threatening infections.To reduce risks further, the NMC has advised medical colleges to progressively adopt safety-engineered auto-disable syringes that cannot be reused. Institutions have also been asked to conduct periodic training and competency assessments for healthcare workers handling injections and other invasive procedures.The regulator has directed hospitals to report needle-stick injuries and any cluster of infections for investigation. Hospital authorities have also been asked to ensure post-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare workers as per National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) guidelines and conduct regular audits through infection-control teams.The advisory underscores growing concern among health authorities that preventable healthcare-associated infections continue to pose a threat to patient safety and that strict adherence to standard protocols remains the most effective defence against transmission of blood-borne diseases.
