PM orders nationwide ban on substandard syringes to curb spread of infectious diseases | The Express Tribune
PM orders legal action against individuals, hospitals involved in their use or found negligent in preventing their use
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting to review measures taken to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. PHOTO: PMO
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to impose a nationwide ban on the manufacture and use of substandard syringes as part of efforts to curb the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.
The directive came during a meeting chaired by the prime minister to review measures taken to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The meeting included Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister of State for Health Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Attorney General Mansoor Awan, Global Fund representative Izaskun Gaviria, public health experts, representatives of the Ministry of National Health Services, DRAP, and senior government officials.
PM Shehbaz ordered legal action against individuals and hospitals involved in the use of non-compliant syringes or found criminally negligent in preventing their use.
He also directed the formation of a committee of health experts to develop recommendations for controlling infectious diseases, instructing it to consult provincial governments before finalising its proposals.
The premier instructed the Law Ministry to work with relevant institutions to propose amendments to the legal and regulatory framework where required. “A comprehensive national strategy and its effective implementation are the only solution to this issue,” the prime minister said, according to the statement.
He also directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to consult the medical devices industry and propose policy measures aimed at permanently preventing the spread of infectious diseases through syringe use.
The prime minister said the support of international partners remained crucial to ongoing efforts to combat communicable diseases and stressed the need to focus on the manufacturing of medical equipment and internationally recognised training for healthcare workers.
The meeting was briefed on measures taken by the special task force established on the prime minister’s instructions, as well as initiatives by the Ministry of National Health Services to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The directive comes a day after a petition filed in the Sindh High Court alleged that the HIV outbreak at the Kulsum Bai Valika (KBV) Hospital located in the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE) area was caused by the reuse of contaminated disposable syringes and gross medical negligence, resulting in the spread of infection to over 200 children, with several reported fatalities.
Furthermore, a letter addressed to the chief secretary and other senior government officials, dated March 31 and submitted by the counsel, shared with The Express Tribune, noted that the outbreak initially infected 84 children between November 2025 and February 2026.
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