India’s central health authorities have directed all states and union territories to enforce the prohibition on reusing single-use medical devices and disposable surgical items across public and private healthcare facilities. The directive follows findings by the national health services directorate that certain private and corporate hospitals were reportedly sterilizing products labeled for single use and using them on multiple patients. The practice was reportedly identified in several specialized clinical departments, including cardiology, nephrology, oncology, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, and neurosurgery.

Authorities also noted instances in which patients or government agencies were allegedly charged or reimbursed the full cost of devices that had been reused. The health authorities emphasized that reusing single-use products raises serious concerns about patient safety,…