New Delhi: India has prohibited the re-sterilisation and reuse of single-use medical devices and disposable surgical items in all healthcare organisations, public and private, under a Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) directive dated October 16, 2026, addressed to all states and Union Territories, the DCGI and CGHS, ANI reported.

Source: ANI (via APNA MA TV) — AiMeD welcomes DGHS directive prohibiting reuse of single-use medical devices

The directive (D.O. No. Z.28017/38/2026-SAS-III) says such devices must be used strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions, and compliance analysis of the order notes that violations breach the Medical Devices Rules 2017, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and the Clinical Establishments Act 2010.

Source: OpenPR / Morulaa — DGHS crackdown on single-use device reuse: implications for India

Reusing a device designed and validated for one use is a patient-safety risk, the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) said in welcoming the move, because such devices are not built to be cleaned, resterilised or reused, and reuse can cause cross-infection, device failure and harm to patients.

Source: ANI (via APNA MA TV) — AiMeD welcomes DGHS directive prohibiting reuse of single-use medical devices

The practice has been noted particularly in high-risk specialties including cardiology, nephrology, oncology, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery and neurosurgery, according to the compliance summary of the directive.

Source: OpenPR / Morulaa — DGHS crackdown on single-use device reuse: implications for India

AiMeD forum coordinator Rajiv Nath said: "This is a patient-first decision. Single-use means single-use." He added that where a product is used contrary to its labelled instructions, any failure or harm cannot be attributed to the manufacturer, and asked that this be reflected clearly in enforcement and in any liability framework.

Source: ANI (via APNA MA TV) — AiMeD welcomes DGHS directive prohibiting reuse of single-use medical devices