While the world is opting for disposable syringes as one of the measures to control spread of fatal diseases, the department of health, Madhya Pradesh, has recently taken a decision in aberration to this by choosing glass syringes only to be used while implementing National Health Programmes and immunization drives in the state.

The government decision is in the wake of few unofficial reports on the disposable syringes being re-used in the remote areas. Also lack of proper arrangements like incinerators, for disposal of the plastic syringes in the rural belt aggravated the concerns.

Though no concrete evidence has come forth indicating towards the re-use of such syringes, the department decided to put an end to their worries by distributing 'pressure cookers', stoves and contingency funds to the workers for effective sterilization of the glass syringes.

Around 10,000 glass syringes arrived at the Indore-Ujjain divisional office of the health department for distribution in remote areas.

According to Dr Sharad Pandit, joint director, Health Services, the distribution started in the mid-August, 2002, after complaints that the syringes were not being disposed off properly.

“Its very difficult to monitor in the far-off villages, especially the tribal belt, if proper care is being taken to destroy the plastic syringes,'' he said adding, but one thing was sure – they can't be sterilized using heat. So it was better that glass syringes were used by trained Health Workers in 110 centres in the Indore and Ujjain divisions, he added.

When asked on how it is ensured that needles are sterilized properly, he said that account of every drive is recorded and reviewed in the monthly meetings.

Dr Pandit pointed at a survey conducted by a Bhopal-based NGO and Indore-based Hoswin Incinerators Pvt. Ltd, which said the plastic syringes were not being destroyed properly even in urban areas, especially in the pathology laboratories, clinics and blood banks.

Indore has become the first district in Madhya Pradesh to integrate around 180 hospitals and 114 nursing homes, both private and government, with mobile pick-up facilities at nominal rates. Also 150 pathology laboratories, 200 clinics and 20 blood banks have agreed to become a member of the project.

A local incinerator facility provider has agreed to offer his services on daily basis for the same, said the joint director.