The decision was made after the 'National Policy on Injection Safety in Bangladesh' was approved recently.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) has adopted a global policy that recommends that sufficient AD syringes and safety boxes for waste management control be automatically provided with high-quality vaccine for all mass immunisation campaigns.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Red Crescent Society, together with the International Council of Nurses have endorsed a policy of urging all countries to switch to using AD syringes.

The AD syringe has a built-in mechanism designed to give a single dose of vaccine after which the syringe is permanently locked or disabled. Such a mechanism prevents the reuse of contaminated syringes and needles, and eliminates unauthorised packaging, resale or reuse of equipment.

AD syringes have either fixed or detachable needles. Detachable needles can only be used with the syringes with which they are provided, eliminating the reuse of needles.

Health Secretary AFM Sarwar Kamal told The Daily Star, "We have a commitment of US$ 7.3 million for three years from GAVI. It will enable us to immediately purchase AD syringes for use in the Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI)."

"To receive the fund we had to approve the National Policy on Injection Safety in Bangladesh."

EPI is expected to start using AD syringes as soon as the government makes the first purchase from abroad through open tender. All routine vaccinations will hopefully be able to use AD syringes by the end of the year, health ministry sources said.

Sources in the ministry said the government has committed itself to continuing the use of AD syringes even after the expiry of the three-year period. In that case, it will allocate Tk 10 crore annually for safe injection practices by EPI.

Meanwhile, the ministry has formed a 21-member committee to suggest safe disposal of the AD syringes. "We don't want to incinerate the plastic AD syringes as they may affect the environment by generating toxic waste. So we've formed the committee to suggest best practices to dispose of the waste after use," said the health secretary.

GAVI has earmarked funds also for the private sector to convince them to shift to AD syringes. The private sector will come under mandatory use of the AD as soon as the local industries manufacturing syringes are capable of making the same.