The SMC health department officials have formed different teams for the seven zones in the city. They will visit dispensaries, laboratories and other hospitals and acquaint doctors and nurses with the necessary precautions.

The officials will also keep a record of the hospital waste sent to the Common Waste Treatment plant at Bhatar in Surat, which would be cross-checked later. Each team will be led by a deputy health officer along with two medical officers and three sanitary inspectors.

I C Patel, Deputy Commissioner of Health and Hospital, SMC, said: “We will carry out surprise raids at SMC’s Common Waste Treatment plant in Bhatar. The teams will also visit the SMC-run SMIMER and Maskati hospitals and acquaint the staff on the right ways of disposing syringes and needles, which must be dipped in 5 per cent Hydrochloride solution after being broken and crushed.”

He added, “Our officials will ensure that these guidelines are followed in all hospitals and pathological laboratories.”

Patel said further that superintendents of hospitals and directors will have to acquaint the lower rank staff about the demerits of improper use of syringes.

“We have also issued advertisements in local newspapers to create awareness in this regard among the people. People are being urged to inform us if they find doctors and nursing staff in hospitals, laboratories and dispensaries reusing needles and syringes,” Patel added.