Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - Thursday 13 December 2001
Anjira Assavanonda
The GPO has signed an investment agreement with Carlyle Capital Investment Corporation (CCIC), which is owned by Italy's Penta Group, a medical equipment manufacturer.
The Thai government will provide about 26% of the total investment of US$39.5 million, or about 1.7 billion baht, in a new company called Medical Device Manufacturer (Thailand) Co Ltd.
The syringes will be manufactured at a plant to be built at the Amata City Industrial Estate in Rayong.
The safety syringe, first introduced in Europe and the US in 1990, is made of high-quality plastic with a specially-designed pump to draw the needle back into the syringe after use.
This prevents the needle from accidentally piercing the hands or fingers of health practitioners.
Dr Thongchai Tavichachart, the GPO director, said the safety syringe would be particularly helpful in preventing infections of HIV/Aids and Hepatitis B.
"Currently, health workers are at risk of infection from the syringe as they have to use their hands to remove the used needles from the syringe," Dr Thongchai said.
Between 400 and 500 million syringes are used in Thailand each year.
Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said the project was expected to start by the end of 2002.
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