Safe and Appropriate Use of Injection Activities of WHO’s Department of Blood Safety and Clinical Technology (BCT) Yvan Hutin Annual SIGN Meeting New Delhi - 30 August 2001 A technology-focused presentation that looks into the future

In 1994, the famous Star Trek Actor Leonard Nimoy writes a book entitled “I am NOT Spock”

In 2001, the WHO injection safety man feels like writing a book called “I am NOT SIGN”

Because: YOU are and I am just the WHO injection safety person (who also does the SIGN secretariat)

WHO Work in Safe and Appropriate Use of Injections Blood Safety and Clinical Technology (BCT) –SIGN secretariat and other activities Vaccine & Biologicals (V&B) –Safety of immunization Essential Drug and Medicine policy (EDM) –Rational use of injections Other clusters –Healthy environment and sustainable development (Waste management) –Family and community health (HIV Prevention) –Communicable Diseases (Prevention of infection with bloodborne pathogens) Health, Technology and Phamaceuticals

WHO Work in Safe and Appropriate Use of Injections Blood Safety and Clinical Technology (BCT) –SIGN secretariat and other activities Vaccine & Biologicals (V&B) –Safety of immunization Essential Drug and Medicine policy (EDM) –Rational use of injections Other clusters –Healthy environment and sustainable development (Waste management) –Family and community health (HIV Prevention) –Communicable Diseases (Prevention of infection with bloodborne pathogens) Health, Technology and Phamaceuticals

SIGN Secretariat Activities The annual SIGN Meeting –1999, Geneva –2000, Cairo –2001, New Delhi –2002: Any suggestions? The SIGN list server The SIGN Internet site

BCT’s Safe and Appropriate Use of Injection Objectives Policy Quality Access Use

BCT’s Safe and Appropriate Use of Injection Objectives Policy –Strengthen the capacity to formulate, implement, monitor, and update safe and appropriate use of injections policies Template policies (Aide memoire) Data for decision making –Assessment tools –Global burden of disease –Cost effectiveness analyses Quality Access Use

BCT’s Safe and Appropriate Use of Injection Objectives Policy Quality –Ensure quality and safety of injection devices Norms and standards for injection equipment Guide for injection equipment purchasers Tool to evaluate injection equipment in the field Access Use

BCT’s Safe and Appropriate Use of Injection Objectives Policy Quality Access –Ensure equitable access to injection devices “Bundling” of injection equipment Examination of the evidence to support the inclusion of injection equipment and sharps boxes in the WHO template Essential Drug List Use

BCT’s Safe and Appropriate Use of Injection Objectives Policy Quality Access Use –Promote appropriate, rational and cost-effective use of injections Injection safety standards (“best practices”) Toolbox for behaviour change

Conclusion The SIGN network is still young WHO needed to conduct some ground work before being able to fully coordinate the network We know need to develop the network and make sure that the total is more than the sum of the parts

Two years later: Leonard Nimoy wrote: “I am Spock” Every year, WE fell more conformable saying “We are SIGN”

… and we can move on together to achieve safe and appropriate use of injections in the galaxy! Unsafe injection practices in the Star Wars, 1977