Hospitals stare at syringe, catheter supply crisis as costs surge

India's hospitals are facing a potential supply crisis for high-volume medical supplies such as syringes, catheters, and gloves. A letter from the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlights that global geopolitical tensions, specifically the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, are severely impacting domestic manufacturers. Input costs for critical plastics have risen by 50%, while packaging and diesel costs are up 20%. Shipment delays are extending beyond three weeks, and buffer inventories are being depleted. Manufacturers have begun revising prices upward by 10-20%, a burden that may be passed on to patients or strain public hospital budgets. AiMeD is seeking government intervention, including logistics cost rationalization and GST refund acceleration, to stabilize the sector.