A recent move by the Mumbai-based King Edward Memorial Hospital to ban the reuse of disposable surgical items, following a consumer court directive. has served to create a flutter in various circles. Doctors and medicos. pointing out the incapability of Indian manufacturers in meeting the demand. fear that foreign brands would take a stranglehold over the market for these devices and prove to be a severe drain on the resources of cash-starved hospitals; this. they contend, would affect the quality and reach of available medical facilities to all strata of society.

A Jaslok Hospital surgeon believes the reuse of certain items after sterilisation and repackaging is necessary. as it helps in keeping in check medical costs. The ban on reusing disposables like catheters (tubes for draining body fluids), for instance, will probably result in doubling the cost for angioplasty from Rs 35,000 to a steep Rs 70,000; every reuse of a catheter, on the other hand. serves to bring down the charges.