KARACHI: Absence of proper infection control plans leads to HIV
KARACHI, Aug 31: The use and reuse of unsterilized medical instruments and the generally low level of attention towards standard infection control procedures have emerged as important potential avenues for the spread of HIV in Pakistan.
A situation and response analysis compiled, under the aegis of National AIDS Programme, over the years regarding HIV/AIDS in Pakistan, observed application and re-application of unsterilized instruments, with particular reference to needles and syringes, as a major risk factor for the spread of virus.
The situation was generally attributed to public accessibility to modern medical care and their dependence on traditional healers.
“It is not uncommon for clinics in villages to be operated by self-described doctors who may actually have little or no formal medical training,” the compilers of the report said.
According to them, reliance upon unqualified practitioners might compound the risk of further infection due to their lack of knowledge and the possibility of inadequate infection control during therapeutic procedures.
They, however, failed to refer to the instances of inadequate arrangements for safe disposal of hospital based waste, including syringes and needles, used for administering drips and infected tubes besides other hazardous material often witnessed handled without adequate safety measures by junk dealers as well as addicts.
There is widespread use of unsterilized or inadequately sterilized needles, syringes and other medical instruments and equipment. Adherence to universal safety precautions and infection control procedures in laboratories and clinics is almost equally poor in private and public health care outlets.
The report also refers to a study mentioning an average of 8.5 injections per year, among the respondents. Moreover, 49 per cent of outpatient visits resulted in the patient being administered an injection.
