Abstract: Injection Safety in Nepal

In Nepal, untreated medical waste is a recognized hazard to hospital staff, patients and the community. Unsafe injection practice and improper sharp management is a major problem in Nepal. Many health care workers like medical doctors, nurses, supporting staff are at high risk for occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens through needle stick injuries. Many of the injuries are unreported.

Prevalence of needle stick injury in health care industry is still unknown in Nepal. No comprehensive research on this was carried out yet HECAF has conducted a questionnaire survey on needle stick injury in hospitals of Pokhara city. This study helped elucidate needle stick injury prevalence, its causes and the level of awareness on injection safety among medical professionals.