Nigeria would discontinue the use of conventional syringes by October, Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said on Friday.

The National Council on Health had issued a directive ordering all federal government hospitals to discontinue the use of conventional syringes by Oct. 1, Chukwu said.

The minister said the use of conventional syringes was capable of spreading some dangerous diseases among people.

The aim of discontinuing the use of conventional syringes was to curb the transmission of diseases, such as Hepatitis B and HIV, he added.

He urged all hospitals to begin using disposable syringes.