Centre bans reuse of single-use medical devices in all hospitals
· India · Times of India, Hindustan Times
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) ordered public and private hospitals nationwide to stop reusing sterile single-use medical devices, flagging risks of cross-infection and device malfunction. The Oct 16 directive covers items such as cardiac catheters, dialysis equipment, surgical instruments, and disposable syringes used in cardiology, oncology, and other critical services. The ban aims to enforce compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, and infection-control norms. State health authorities, the Drugs Controller General of India, and the central government health scheme (CGHS) are tasked with monitoring and penalising violations. Patients have also been overcharged for devices that were previously reused, prompting concerns about transparency in billing.
Why it matters
The order directly impacts patients across India who rely on safe medical care, ensuring they are not exposed to contaminated or faulty equipment and are not billed for reused items. Hospitals and medical device suppliers must overhaul procurement and inventory practices to avoid legal penalties. The move also strengthens oversight of healthcare standards nationwide, addressing long-standing safety and ethical concerns in the medical sector.
Read the original report — Times of India
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