SAHPRA recalls sterile lubricating jelly over increase in fungal infections among patients
Health products regulator, SAHPRA has recalled a medical product Lubria, a sterile lubricating jelly over contamination concerns.
This comes after an investigation by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases picked up an increase in fungal infections among patients.
Lubria which is used in the insertion of catheters has been identified as a potential source of these cases.
National Health's spokesperson Foster Mohale says some of these patients include those critically ill and babies admitted to neonatal units.
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"This product has been used both public and private health facilities for medical procedures. This follows an investigation by the national institute for Communicable Diseases or the NICD in an unusual number of patients in hospitals across the country with positive cultures of fungus."
Mohale’s assured the public that there is no need to panic.
He says they’re working closely with SAHPRA and the NICD to ensure that the product in question is not used.
"The department has alerted the provincial health authorities to place all suspected badges on hold until further information from on going investigation is known."
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