In February 2008 the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas was shut down by public health officials for violating a number of health codes. For nearly four years the clinic had been reusing syringes and engaging in other unsanitary practices. The public health board also suggested that 40,000 former patients get tested for both Hepatitis C and HIV. As of May, 84 cases of Hepatitis C have been linked to the clinic. This is the largest public health scare in US history.

So far, the clinic responsible has been fined $500,000, several law firms have law suits pending against the clinic and the doctors who own and operated there have had their medical licenses suspended. The medical staff report that they were told by the doctors and owners to reuse equipment. All of this just so the owner, Depak Desai, could save a few cents.

It is utterly unthinkable. This is America, not a third world country. Our doctors should know better than this. They should be better than this. Reusing syringes? How dare they. And why did the staff cooperate? In this day and age when school children know how HIV and other diseases are transferred, how could trained professionals turn a blind eye? It’s disgusting what people will do out of greed.