The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an advisory mandating strict adherence to safe injection practices. The directive aims to curb preventable outbreaks of HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV) caused by the unsafe reuse of syringes, needles, and other single-use medical devices.Despite decades of evidence and repeated warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe injection practices continue in India, often under the guise of cost-saving. This has led to avoidable infections, lifelong treatment costs, and a loss of public trust in healthcare systems.What the NMC Advisory SaysThe advisory mandates:Single-use devices must never be reused:Reuse of syringes, dialyzers, or vials is a direct breach of patient safety.Progressive adoption of safety-engineered auto-disable syringes: These devices prevent reuse and help protect healthcare workers from needle-stick injuries.Strict enforcement of the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016: Proper segregation and disposal of sharps is mandatory.Mandatory training and audits: Healthcare workers must undergo regular competency assessments, and institutions must conduct strict monitoring.Also read:India Cracks Down On Injectable Cosmetic Procedures In Beauty ClinicsWhy Action Is Important“India has the manufacturing capacity to supply safety-engineered syringes at scale. The barrier is not technology, it is willpower. Procurement administrators must prioritize patient safety over short-term cost-cutting,” said Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry.“Single-use devices like syringes, dialyzers, and AV (Arteriovenous) fistula needles must not be reused. Unsafe injection practices are entirely preventable, and continuing them is indefensible,” he added.The expert urged policymakers to act now because it is affecting Public Health : Treating HIV, HBV, and HCV infections acquired through unsafe injections costs far more than investing in safe injection devices.Global Credibility: As one of the world’s largest users of injectable medicines and vaccines, India’s leadership in safe injection, drug delivery, and blood management practices is critical to global health security.Patient Trust: Every reused syringe erodes confidence in healthcare institutions and undermines national health programs.Read More: Ebola Alert In India: Rajasthan, Hyderabad Report Suspected Cases of Deadly VirusCall to ActionThe AiMeD stated that the NMC's advisory must be treated as a binding mandate, not a suggestion. Procurement administrators, hospital authorities, and policymakers should:Enforce zero tolerance for device reuse across all healthcare facilities.Allocate budgets for safety-engineered syringes, including auto-disable syringes and sharps injury-prevention devices, as a public health investment rather than a discretionary expense.Establish accountability mechanisms through accreditation schemes, including audits, reporting of needle-stick injuries, and penalties for non-compliance.Launch patient awareness campaigns to empower communities to demand safe injection practices."Unsafe injection practices are not a matter of affordability but of accountability. India has the capacity, technology, and cost-effectiveness evidence through Health Technology Assessment (HTA). What is needed now is decisive action to protect patients and healthcare workers alike," the AiMeD said.