BIO MEDICAL NEWS

Bicholim council takes lead in bio-medical waste disposalTNN | Jul 14, 2018, 03.59 AM IST

BICHOLIM: Bicholim municipal council (BMC) which has been in the forefront in solid waste management, has gone a step ahead. The municipality has now adopted the practice of safe disposal of bio-medical waste generated in its jurisdiction. The collection of bio-medical waste will commence from Monday.

The municipality, in association with the department of urban development and Indian Medical Association (IMA), Goa launched the programme on Friday. 

The waste collected will be handed it over to the Goa Health Monitoring Services Authority (GHMSA) for scientific disposal.

President of IMA-Bicholim, Dr Shekhar Salkar said that around 2.3 tonnes of bio-medical waste is generated every day, with Bicholim’s share comprising 250kg.

“With the launch of this programme, BMC becomes the first council in the state to manage bio-medical waste in its jurisdiction.” 

Dr Salkar also underscored the need for a proper system to dispose of diapers and sanitary pads.

BMC chairperson Rajaram Gaonkar urged people, managements of hospitals, and medical institutions to support their initiative.

Punjab in peril: Government hospitals spilling out biomedical wasteTNN | Jun 29, 2018, 07.26 AM IST

PATIALA: Leave aside private clinic and nursing homes, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has found that six government hospitals and five healthcare centres do not dispose of properly the biomedical waste they generate. The board teams that visited the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar; Government Dental College and Hospital, Patiala; Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot; Mother and Child Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh; Mandi Gobindgarh Civil Hospital, and Phagwara Civil Hospital, found that these government-run establishments had failed to put in place the arrangements to safely take care of biomedical waste thus endangering more lives than they probably save. Community Health Centre at Malout; Giderbaha Community Health Centre; ESI Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh; ESI Dispensary-1 at Mandi Gobindgarh and Bassi Pathana Community Health Centre were also at fault.During a special drive launched by the PPCB under the 'Tandrust Punjab' mission, the board found that 24 medical establishments across the state, including these government facilities were putting people's life at risk by violating the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.The PPCB has now got down to initiate action against these violators under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The board's action might see concerned health department officials being charge-sheeted, penalties being imposed and even withdrawal of official sanctions to run the healthcare centresThe violation of the norms was detected by 40 teams of the pollution board that inspected 95 medical establishments across the state on Thursday.While Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra could not be contacted for his comments on the issues, PPCB chairman K S Pannu said it was a serious issue as disposing of the biomedical waste without following the scientific procedure imperiled the general public health and can even lead to spread of fatal diseases.Pannu said that the board would write to the state health department and also to the concerned officials of these establishments to make certain that the biomedical norms were strictly enforced. "As a law enforcing agency, we will guarantee that all medical establishments in Punjab whether government or private follow the exact procedure to do away with the biomedical waste," he added.He said that earlier the board used to check healthcare facilities on regular basis, but now it had started conducting surprise inspection to ensure proper compliance of the biomedical waste rules. He said in case there was any letup, stern action would be initiated against concerned persons.

Going by the figures, about 7,400 healthcare facilities in the state produce 15-16 tonnes of biomedical waste every day. The state has already set up four biomedical waste treatment facilities at Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Pathankot.The segregation of the biomedical waste starts at the source level after which it is carried to the four facilities that treat the waste scientifically to prevent spread fatal diseases.

India’s medical waste growing at 7% annually: ASSOCHAMTNN | Mar 22, 2018, 05.52 PM IST

MANGALURU: India is likely to generate about 775.5 tons of medical waste per day by 2022 from the current level of 550.9 tons per day growing at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7%, reveals ASSOCHAM-Velocity joint study.

Lack of staff and infrastructure is also a major constraint in the implementation of the rules. The country needs stringent monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure compliance, reveals joint study by ASSOCHAM and Velocity titled ‘Unearthing the Growth Curve and Necessities of Bio Medical Waste Management in India-2018’ released at conference on ‘BioMedical Waste Management: Issues, Challenges, Awareness and Opportunities’ organised by ASSOCHAM.

Releasing the paper, Dr Kirti Bhushan, Director General of Health Services, Government of NCT of Delhi said, waste management market in India is expected to reach US$ 13.62 billion by 2025. Major waste sections such as municipal solid waste management market, e-waste market and bio-medical waste are expected to grow at CAGR of 7.14%, 10.03% and 8.14% respectively.

Safe and effective management of waste is not only a legal necessity but also a social responsibility. Lack of concern, motivation, awareness and cost factor are some of the problems faced in the proper biomedical waste management. 

Cleary there is a need for education as to the hazards associated waste improper waste disposal. Education of the staff about the management or biomedical waste is crucial in today’s health care arena, added Dr. Bhushan.

“To ensure safe and proper disposal of biomedical waste, MoEF has notified Bio Medical waste Management Rules 2016. These rules shall apply to all persons who generate, collect, receive, store, transport or handle bio medical waste in any form. The rules make hospital and owner of the medical waste treatment facility liable for all damages caused due to improper handling of waste”, Dr Ravindra Aggrwal, Additional Director (BMW), Directorate of

Health Services, Government of NCT of Delhi said at an event.

Aggrwal further said, bar-coding is evolving and we are waiting for guidelines from the ministry of environment. CPCB has already framed the guidelines and sent it for the government approval.

Jasal Shah, Founder and CEO of Velocity MR adds, “Velocity MR (MR is the acronym for Market Research), the Knowledge Partner for this conference is proud to have contributed in bringing insights about Bio-Medical Waste Management in India. We pledge to continue igniting insights on business issues/societal concerns from across the sectors and help all the concerned in marching ahead on their growth curve. I’m sure this report on ‘Unearthing the Growth Curve & Necessities of Bio-Medical Waste Management in India’ will help the healthcare fraternity, investors and our government in understanding the current requirements to bridge the gap and better equip ourselves for the challenges ahead.”

The monitoring bodies, viz. SPCBs and CPCB, should make a strict timeline and visit the healthcare facilities and CBWTFs regularly and update their data on time. The newly formed district level monitoring committee should plan out a strategy and monitor these facilities as required by the rules to fill in this gap, noted the study.

Need for efficiency in segregation and collections. Make it the bottom-line responsibility of CBWTF’s to collect, treats and train healthcare facilities. Since the existing CBWTFs are not enough to treat the quantum of medical waste generated by hospitals, the country should focus on installation of more CBWTFs and should work on increasing connectivity up to the PHC level.

The study outlines the key challenges in Bio-Medical Waste Management in the current healthcare scenario in India. Highlights of the challenges are speed of data availability, under reporting of waste generated and handling capacity, operation of healthcare facility without authorization under BMW Rules, States / UT’s which are yet to develop CBWTFs in the respective State / UT. Lack of awareness among various sections of the staff at all levels co-operate the system not to be able to function effectively.

Inadequate waste management can cause environmental pollution, growth and multiplication of vectors like insects, rodents and worms and may lead to the transmission of diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and AIDS through injuries from syringes and needles contaminated with a human. In addition to health risks associated with poor management of medical waste, consideration must also be given to the impact on the environment, especially to the risks of pollution of water, air and soil in developing countries.

Expansion of healthcare facilities coupled with the recent trend of using disposables has led to an unprecedented burden of health care related waste. Healthcare is one of the largest sector in India both in terms of revenue and employment. 

With growing healthcare, there is a requirement of management of bio-medical waste. Bio-medical waste (BMW) although comprises a small proportion of total waste generated (around 1%) but needs special handling and treatment due to its highly toxic contents, and it is highly infectious and can pose a severe threat to human health.

Bio-medical waste in India is projected to grow at a rate higher than the overall healthcare services market driven by the expansion of the increasing awareness, improving efficiencies in the system, medical tourism, number of clinics, hospitals, rising of the ageing population and new BMW guidelines.

Most hospitals in Arunachal don't have facilities for disposal of bio-medical wastes: CAGPTI | Oct 26, 2017, 08.15 AM IST

ITANAGAR: Most of the hospitals and nursing homes in Arunachal Pradesh don't have facilities for disposal of bio-medical wastes, according to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.The CAG report which was tabled in the state assembly this month highlighted that in 10 government hospitals treatment plants were installed. But they remained non-functional due to lack of trained manpower, technical defects, lack of fund for maintenance besides shortage of power.

The Centre had framed the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1998 under the provision of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which prescribed the procedures for treatment and disposal of bio-medical waste generated by hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries and clinics.

The report highlighted various drawbacks with the Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) as the board did not have the state level data on health care establishments which is required for compliance of rules and regulations of the Bio-Medical Waste.

The report pointed out that out of only 12 out of 437 health care establishments are functioning with authorisation issued by the APSPCB.

The report further stated that 12 hospitals inspected did not observe the standards prescribed in the rules for disposal of bio-medical waste.

The CAG findings revealed that in the state hospital at Naharlagun, near here, bio-medical waste treatment plant was installed in June 2004 at a cost of Rs 70.88 lakh under central assistance was subsequently dismantled in June 2012 to accommodate construction of 300 bedded hospital at the site and no replacement had been provided since then.

In general hospital Pasighat, where the plant was installed on June 2004 at a cost of Rs 70.88 lakh, was lying idle since September 2009 due to technical defects, it said.

Subsequently, another plant at a cost of Rs 68.50 lakh funded under National Rural Health Mission was approved in December 2013 but remained incomplete even after two years of its sanction, the report said.

Another treatment plant installed at General Hospital Aalo at a cost of Rs 22.89 lakh in 2009 under NRHM, was not functional since its installation due to unsatisfactory installation and lack of trained operator.

The plant was dismantled and a new plant at a cost of Rs 50 lakh taken under NRHM during 2015-16 remained incomplete.

Similar was the fate of the plants installed in General Hospitals at Ziro, Bomdila, Tezu and Khonsa, the report added.

The report further stated that a joint inspection of 12 test checked hospitals was conducted with representatives of APSPCB and the hospital authorities where it was revealed number of deviations from the prescribed procedure for disposal of bio-medical waste.

In some hospitals, bio-medical waste were disposed with solid waste and in some government hospitals the waste were disposed of by burning in open space in hospital premises or disposed of by burning in local made chullah in hospital premises.

The CAG report has recommended the state government to adopt mechanism for enlisting all the health care establishments functioning in the state for issue of authorisation and effective monitoring of their functioning.

It also suggested for preparing a detail plan for establishment of bio-medical waste treatment plants in government hospitals and also takes necessary steps to operationalise the existing idle plants through budgetary provisions.

The report further suggested the government for ensuring that all the health care establishments dispose bio-medical waste in compliance with the prescribed standards to prevent adverse effect on human health and environment.

Jhansi medical apathy: Incident violated right to dignity, says NHRCTNN | Mar 12, 2018, 06.26 PM IST

LUCKNOW: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Government of Uttar Pradesh through its Chief Secretary after taking suo motu cognizance of a media report about a patient amputated leg placed as a pillow at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi. The Chief Secretary has been given four weeks to submit a detailed report in the matter. Besides this, the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been asked to submit a report whether any instructions/guidelines on the subject have been issued to the

doctors/hospitals along with status of mechanism to monitor their implementation, across the country.

While issuing the notices, the Commission has observed that the incident demands not only fair investigation and action against the guilty public servants but also issuance of necessary directions/guidelines to all the hospitals regarding strict compliance of the standard norms for disposal of the Bio Medical Waste and amputated organs so that such incidents do not recur in future.

It has further observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, amount to unethical and negligent act done by the doctors/nurses which is not only in violation of the medical norms but also amounts to violation of right to dignity of the patient who was already undergoing trauma, due to amputation of his leg.

The Commission said that it is hard to understand as to how a reasonable person could do such an unfair act. As per Bio Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2016, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India on March, 28, 2016, the amputated leg of the patient should have been disposed off in the “Yellow Box” meant for the amputated human organs. Even if, any medico legal aspect was there in this case, it should have been immediately kept in the Lab. The amputated leg, once detached from the body, could also be a reason for any kind of infection to the patient and others who were present in the hospital ward.

According to the media reports, carried today on March 12 2018, the victim claimed that the hospital staff used his amputated leg under his head as a pillow. Reportedly, the Principal of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi has assured strict action against the guilty. She has stated that a committee has been set up to find out as to who put the severed leg under the patient’s head. As per her statement, the patient was given immediate medical aid and the doctor looked for something to raise his head when the patient’s attendant used the leg for the same. Two doctors and two nurses have been placed under suspension and departmental action has been ordered against one doctor.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has, reportedly, said that the State Government will take action only once proper information about the incident is received.

Bio-toilet to separate solid & liquid waste at sourceTNN | Jun 29, 2018, 09.19 AM IST

PUNE: A bio-toilet with a mechanism to separate solid and liquid waste at source has been developed jointly by the faculty of the department of mechanical engineering at Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) and Maharashtra Institute of Pharmacy.

The bio-toilet has been attached with a digester that converts accumulated waste into methane and water. MIT’s mechanical engineering department took about six years to develop the mechanism, which is being run on a pilot basis on the college campus for about a year. The project has received funding from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for scaling up production.

Project lead and assistant professor Aarti Shastri from MIT’s mechanical department said that the function of any bio-digester is to digest accumulated waste and convert it into methane and water. "The usual bio-toilet works in this fashion. However, our uniquely designed bio-toilets have significant advantage over conventional bio-digester. With a tank size of less than 1/3 of conventional bio-digester, the efficacy is increased two-fold"

The conventional bio-digester has a tank size of 700 litres and caters to 6 to 7 persons, whereas the MIT bio-toilet has a size of 200 litres and caters to 15 persons per day, said Shastri. Founder of the institute,V D Karad, supported the project and provided all facilities.

The project has also been shortlisted by AICTE from among 700 submissions across the country. “We have already found a manufacturing partner and received order from a local corporator for four bio-toilets for Mukundnagar area."

Bio-medical waste mgmt training kickstarted in citytnn | Jan 18, 2018, 10.43 PM IST

Thane: In an attempt to ensure that 100 per cent of the bio-medical waste generated in Thane city is segregated and disposed safely, city based non government organisations and the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Thane last Friday.NGOs R-Nisarg Foundation and Enviro Vigil along with the association kickstarted a first-of-its-kind bio-medical waste management training programme for healthcare professionals. While the 1,800 plus medical organisations in the city generate over two tonnes of hazardous biomedical waste on a daily basis, as much as 600kg or 30 per cent of this toxic waste is not segregated properly according to the data accumulated by Enviro Vigil.

Environmental experts working in this industry asserted that while 30 per cent may seem like a small number, this mismanagement of bio-medical waste, however small, could not only result in the spreading of infections and diseases for those handling the misplaced toxic waste, but also affect the environment through incorrect disposal.

“The segregation of bio-medical waste is a four-pronged system. While the yellow coloured bag is used for disposing biomedical waste that needs to be burnt like body organs, blood, soiled waste and so on, the red bag is for plastic, rubber and other recyclable waste. The blue bag is for glass and metal and the white canister is for sharp items like razors and needles,” said Dr Lata Ghanshamnani, founder of R-Nisarg Foundation, while addressing a crowd of 100 plus healthcare professionals at the first training session in Naupada.

“Putting the waste from the yellow bag in the others could affect the health of those further segregating the waste as they could come in touch with the infected blood and fluids. Meanwhile, putting the recyclable waste like rubber and plastic in the yellow bag could result in high air pollution levels. This is why it is crucial that this hazardous waste is managed safely,” she added.

The training programme will continue for the coming three months after which this entire system will be digitalised.

“After the training, each medical organisation will be given an identity and password to a special website, where they can update the waste segregated, generated and handed over to us,” said Prasad Date, CEO of Enviro Vigil.

Inadequate management of bio-medical waste in Maharashtra: CAGTNN | Aug 24, 2017, 05.52 PM IST

MUMBAI: The enforcement of bio-medical waste management (BMW) rules in municipal corporations in Maharashtra was found to be inadequate in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General 2016. The CAG audited 22 health care establishments between 2011 and 2016.Five HCEs at Nashik and Mumbai did not segregate BMWs as per the rules. Three HCEs in Nashik did not use blue/white translucent puncture proof containers. Instead, they used plastic bags. In two HCEs in Mumbai, sharp waste was mixed with incinerable waste, the CAG report found.In three HCEs, BMW was stored near the patient’s bed. In 16 of the 22 HCEs, BMW containers were not labelled as per the procedure.Of the 22 HCEs inspected, 20 operated without valid authorisation owing to delays from the MPCB, the CAG report said. Only 8 HCEs maintained a record of collection of BMW.

The inspection of hospitals and common facilities by the MPCB was also inadequate, the CAG report found. In fact it said that the advisory committee advising the government and MPCB on the implementation of BMW rules did not meet in 2011-16.

CSM hospital staff gets a lesson in bio-medical waste disposalTNN | Apr 11, 2018, 02.01 AM IST

THANE: After successfully training close to 1,200 medical practitioners and clinic staffers on the correct methods to segregate and dispose of biomedical waste, two city based NGOs , along with the Indian Medical Association, have now turned their attention to the Thane municipal corporation (TMC)-run Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj hospital in Kalwa.In an attempt to ensure that all these hazardous waste generated in the lake-city is segregated and disposed of safely, these organisations had started a training program for healthcare professionals three months ago. “We have over 1,800 healthcare organisations registered with us. They generate approximately two tonnes of bio-medical waste daily. Over the years we have observed that 30% of this waste is often left unsegregated, which made disposing it of safely a risky job as mismanagement of waste can lead to the spread of infections and diseases. Just three months into the project, we have already started getting a positive feedback and most of these medical organisations have started putting the right kind of waste in the right chlorinated bags,” said a member of an NGO Enviro Vigil.With the three-month drive already showing signs of success, the organisations have now started a week-long training session for the entire medical staff across various departments of Kalwa hospital, who will be informed about how to handle bio-medical waste.“We will be holding different sessions for different groups from the housekeeping staff to the MBBS doctors, nursing department and HODs as there is a different level of awareness and knowledge requirement at each level. We are conducting four sessions a day throughout the week on the weekends and the groups come in shifts so that their hospital work isn’t affected,” said Dr. Lata Ghanshamnani, founder of R- Nisarg NGO.Speaking about the method of segregation, she said, “There are four separate sections for bio-medical waste segregation. While the yellow coloured bag is used for disposing bio-medical waste that needs to be burnt like body organs, blood, soiled waste and so on, the red bag is for plastic, rubber and other recyclable waste. The blue bag is for glass and metal and the white canister is for sharp items like razors and needles. Putting the waste into anyother bag can affect the health of those further segregating the waste as they could come in touch with the infected blood and fluids. This is why it is crucial that this hazardous waste is managed safely.”While the training sessions have just begun, it has already started making a difference in the corporation-run hospital. “The feedback from staffers was overwhelming. A lot of them came up to me and said that they were completely unaware of these bio-medical waste segregation and disposal rules and methods as it was never taught to them, and they realised that the wrong methods could result in the spread of diseases and infections. As

medical practitioners it is our job to protect patients from these ailments,” said Sandhya Khadse, the dean of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa.We have over 1,800 healthcare organisations registered with us. They generate approximately two tonnes of bio-medical waste daily. Over the years we have observed that 30% of this waste is often left unsegregated, which made disposing it of safely a risky affair as mismanagement of waste can lead to the spread of infections and diseases

Skull along with bio-medical waste found in NakatiaTNN | Dec 28, 2017, 11.07 PM IST

Bareilly: Chief medical officer (CMO) on Thursday ordered an inquiry after human skull along with bio-medical waste was found dumped at Nakatia area in the city. On receiving information, Baradari police seized the skull on Thursday and sent it for postmortem.CMO Dr Vineet Shukla said, “I have directed additional chief medical officer (ACMO) to conduct a probe into the matter and submit report at the earliest.” Upendra Singh, station officer, Baradari police station, said, “The skull is of human and not of any animal. We are waiting for post mortem report for further action.”ACMO Dr Ashok Kumar, who visited the site where skull was found, said, “A joint team of health department and Uttar Pradesh pollution control board inspected the site but we did not find skull as it was seized by police before our arrival. Though there were reports that bio-medical waste was present at the site, we found only sanitary napkins on the spot. It appears that hostel inmates of a nearby medical college dumped sanitary napkins here.”

Cattle graze on bio-medical waste at GMCHTNN | Dec 27, 2017, 03.40 AM IST

Nagpur: Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) appears to be dumping segregated bio-medical waste in the open on its premises. Stray dogs and cattle frequently tear open the bags containing the contaminated waste, and not only spread it in the nearby

area, but also consume it.Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms say biomedical waste has to be segregated into three types of bags in the hospital, and stored in a closed set-up inaccessible to human and animals. However, instead of storing these in a fenced area or room, GMCH dumps them in an open waste container. TOI has photographs showing many of the waste bags lying scattered near the waste container, which is already full.Despite repeated attempts TOI could not reach GMCH dean Dr Abhimanyu Niswade for comments.This garbage site is in the open space close to the ophthalmology department. Besides cattle feeding upon the waste, even exposure of the waste to atmospheric air creates a huge risk of transmission of diseases.Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials said this looks like a violation of rules. MPCB sub-regional officer Kiran Hasabnis said, “We will inspect the spot and issue notice accordingly.”An engineer from Public Works Department (PWD) said they have constructed an enclosure for GMCH to store medical waste. The set-up is a fenced space created atop a platform and covered with iron sheets. It is situated behind the open space where GMCH is currently dumping waste. The officer said, “About five months ago we handed over the structure to GMCH, however, we are not aware if it is being utilized.”The PWD officer said, “We had kept the space locked a few months ago for some days to lay a concrete path so that vehicles arriving to collect the waste can reach the enclosure.” However, sources in GMCH said the structure has always been locked.Moreover, the different types of medical waste (including human anatomical waste, bandages, expired medicines, chemicals, serum etc) is segregated in different coloured bags at the hospital for further treatment at Bhandewadi dumpyard. However, it is evident from the photos that stray animals have torn the bags, mixing all kinds of waste.Collecting medical waste in such a state and treating it becomes difficult for NMC’s private operator Superb Hygienic Disposal, the agency which collect and treats medical waste from the entire city at the incinerator at Bhandewadi. As per the operator, the situation is not very different at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH).The operator said, “We have also asked the college administration to store the waste in a closed area, however, due to some antisocial elements GMCH is not able to do so.”

Fortis biomedical waste seized from DadumajraTNN | Feb 3, 2018, 07.30 AM IST

MOHALI: Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on Friday seized 1-tonne of biomedical waste of Fortis Hospital being delivered to a scrap dealer in Dadumajra.The department will issue show-cause notice to the hospital after submitting a report to the government, said board chairman Kahan Singh Pannu.The department recorded the statement of truck driver transporting the waste and the scrap dealer.Pannu said, “The instructions are very clear under Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, having a methodology for disposing the waste. Here, we found the hospital delivering the biomedical waste to a scrap dealer in Dadumajra. We are preparing a report on the seizure, after which a show-case notice will be sent to the hospital.”Kanwaldeep Kaur, sub-divisional officer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said the department had specific information regarding the waste being transported out of the hospital in violation of the rules.She said, “We set up a check post in front of the hospital. A team chased the truck carrying the biomedical waste from the hospital till it was delivered to the garbage collector. The waste was untreated.”Vijay Kumar, sub-divisional officer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said the driver told them such kind of waste had been given to scrap dealers earlier too.The waste comprised used syringes and blood transfusion pipes among other items.Officials sent the waste was destroyed at a common facility in Baliali village. Environment Engineer, Mohali Lavneet Kumar said a suggestion for taking appropriate action against the hospital under Environment Protection Act has been forwarded to the higher officials.

Kahan Singh Pannu, Chairman PPCBA team of PPCB followed the truck transporting biomedical waste out of Fortis Hospital till it delivered it to a scrap dealer in Dadumajra. We have recorded the statement of the driver and the dealer. The scrap dealer claimed this is a regular practice by the hospital. He further sends the waste to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, where it is recycled and repacked. This is very serious matter. We will ensure appropriate action is taken.”We lodged police complaint: Fortis“Fortis Hospital, Mohali, has always maintained highest standards of waste disposal procedures and has been credited with excellent credentials by the governmental agencies. The hospital has no knowledge regarding the incident. In fact, upon learning about it, a police complaint was lodged requesting investigation in the matter. We will offer complete cooperation to the police,” a spokesperson of the hospital said.TOI BLEW THE LIDThe TOI has been regularly highlighting the illegal dumping and sale of biomedical waste. On December 12, 2017, TOI exposed the illegal sale of biomedical waste of PGI. A TOI team bought 250 syringes, 250 needles, 10 plastic glucose bottles and 50 intravenous lines, all for Rs 400 from a scarp dealer. Although the hospital marked a probe and Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) served a notice to it. PGI has not any action against the contractor responsible for disposal of waste so far.

Pollution control boards pass the buck to get scrap dealers bookedTNN | Feb 4, 2018, 11.16 AM IST

MOHALI: The Pollution control boards of Punjab and Chandigarh have been passing the buck to each other for not taking responsibility to get the cases registered against the alleged defaulters found trading in biomedical waste. The jurisdiction issue has hindered the progress made in the seizures made in the past one year in Mohali and Chandigarh.In August 2017, a Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) team found and seized 2 tonnes of biomedical waste from a scrap dealer in Dhanas. A day after this incident, 700kg of bio-medical waste was recovered from Parch village near Nayagaon in Mohali. The waste seized from the scrap dealer included needles, syringes, vials, used cotton and gloves.

The PPCB said that it had reported the matter to the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) as the scrap dealer falls under Chandigarh’s jurisdiction. The PPCB were left with no role to play in getting the FIR registered.

SDO at PPCB Piyush Jindal said, “During the raids in August, last year, the scrap dealers belonged to Chandigarh and the waste was also stated to be coming from PGIMER. A report in this matter was sent to th eChandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) to take further action.”

When contacted CPCC chairman Santosh Kumar said, “We have already filed a case in a court. An FIR must have been registered by the hospital authorities.”

However when contacted a PGI spokesperson to ascertain the facts of registration of the case, the spokesperson failed to give a satisfactory answer.

“We had submitted a complaint with the police against unknown scrap dealer and did everything to stop bio-medical waste from the hospital. We do not know that police registered any FIR or not,” the spokesperson said.

When contacted the police they said that no such records of registration of any FIR could be ascertained in police records.

The PPCB, in the seizure of bio-medical waste on Friday, said it would forward the report to the the authorities concerned to take action against scrap dealer on the back of Chandigarh’ jurisdiction.

PPCB’s SDO Kanwaldeep Kaur, said, “The matter has been forwarded to the Environmental Pollution and Control (EPC) for further action.”

EPC officer SDO Piyush Jindal said, “We will file the case once Fortis is called for hearing. They will be issued a 15-day show-cause notice after which we will file the case in the court. A report would also be sent to CPCC as the seizure was made under Chandigarh jurisdiction for registration of FIR against scrap dealer.”

PPCB seized Glucose Bottles, gloves, catheters and syringes, which were not separated from the general waste. Sultan a scrap dealer along with truck drivers Pappu, Billa and Karan were accused of transporting and hoarding bio-medical waste.

NGT notice to UP on bio-medical wastesTNN | Dec 19, 2017, 07.44 AM IST

GHAZIABAD: The National Green Tribunal on Monday issued notice to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand asking them why action should not be taken against them for not obeying its November 15 order on proper disposal and burning of biomedical wastes. According to Shailesh Singh, a Delhi-based environmentalist, he had submitted photographic and videographic evidences to show improper disposal of bio medical wastes by hospitals and treatment plants located in Ghaziabad, Noida and other districts of UP even after the NGT order. 

“No hospital is following the NGT’s order. There has not been any change on the ground after November 15. We conducted a survey of our own and collected evidence from 40 hospitals in various districts of UP in this regard and once again filed an application under Section 25 (execution of award or order or decision) of the NGT Act. Looking at the photographs and videos, the tribunal bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued the notice to all four states,” Singh said.

Singh’s co-counsel Sunklan Porwal said, “The tribunal has now fixed January 25 for the next hearing. It has the power to issue a warrant or impose fines against the officials concerned if they fail to implement the order even after this.”

On December 4, the NGT had reprimanded the four governments over their failure to initiate action against hospitals and clinics improperly disposing and burning bio-medical waste in their respective states. Threatening to take action against chief secretaries, secretaries of pollution control boards and director generals (health) of the four states, the tribunal had given them one day to file reports, stating what action had been taken by them against erring medical centres. 

According to a report submitted by UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) on December 6 to the NGT, as many as 3,620 (37%) of 9,972 healthcare facilities, including 861 government ones in the state, do not have any authorisation from the department as far as collection and disposal of bio-medical waste is concerned.

Through his petition, Singh has sought closure of all hospitals, medical health care centres and BMW disposal plants which are not complying with Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) Management Rules, 2016, and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. He has also sought constitution of a permanent independent committee of experts to ascertain and supervise the compliance of norms.'Solid waste, bio medical waste management a priority'TNN | Nov 6, 2017, 08.16 AM IST

PILIBHIT: Soon after the BJP announced its list of candidates for three municipal councils and six town area committees in Pilibhit on Sunday in a press conference, the candidate for Pilibhit city municipal council, Dr Divya Mishra, said that the solid waste and bio medical waste management at local level would be kept on first priority while proper sanitation and pure drinking water supply would also be given special attention.

Mishra, who is a gynecologist in a private hospital in Pilibhit city, said that being a doctor she would prioritise all programmes essential for the public health, especially for children as well as the pollution control. “Most of the gastric diseases are caused by the contaminated drinking water. We therefore will toil to test the quality of underground water level on regular cycles and will ensure hassle-free arrangements for its proper chlorination before its supply to masses as the poor families do not have any device for purification of water,” Mishra said.

She said that she had prepared a project report with the assistance of her husband, Dr Yogendra Nath Mishra who is a neurosurgeon, for setting up a solid waste treatment plant in Pilibhit in addition to establishing an incineration unit for bio-medical waste to make the riversides free from litter dumping. As the bio-medical waste was extremely hazardous for human life if dumped in open, she would ensure that it was disposed of in safe and recommended manner at local level. Presently, the government and private hospitals in Pilibhit were dependent on Bareilly-based company for its collection, she said.

The district vice president of BJP and a lawyer, Dheerendra Mishra said that his party would contest elections on issue related to essential needs of common masses like electricity, roads, drinking water etc. He said that the party candidates would bring all matters of corruption in municipal councils and town areas after they take over as newly elected chairpersons.

Announcing the names of other candidates, the district president of BJP, Suresh Gangwar said that in remaining two municipal councils in the district apart from Pilibhit city, the party had fielded Dr Mahesh Gupta from Bisalpur and Pradeep Jaiswal alias Lallan from Puranpur who was the sitting chairman there.

Thiruvananthapuram administration comes up with scrap vendor brigadeTNN | Feb 16, 2018, 08.06 PM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: District collector K Vasuki and members of Suchitwa mission have formed a forum of scrap vendors to facilitate waste management in the city. With the creation of a registry of over 2500 scrap vendors, district administration is paving a way for recycling of non-bio degradable waste.

Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said that service of scrap vendors will be used to collect plastic waste accumulated in rivers and public spaces. He said photo ID and health cards will be provided for scrap dealer. The minister was speaking at the workshop 'Sanitation of city through Kerala Scrap Merchants Association' at Panchayat Association hall, Vellayambalam.

He said that ID card will be issued by district administration and health card by corporation. "Removing plastic from ponds and rivers will be done as part of Haritha Keralam mission", he added.

Collector K Vasuki said that scrap vendors are doing a silent revolution for the society. She said that the rate of recycling is higher in India compared to developed countries. “Scrap vendors play a major role in this. A forum was formed on a persistent effort. Major drive to collect non-biodegradable waste will be conducted in the district with their support," Vasuki said. She said that such drives will be conducted in every 3-4 months.

Haritha Keralam mission consultant N Jagajeevan, district Suchitwa mission co-ordinator R Renjitha, KSMA president Muhammed Asif, secretary Murugan, among others, attended.

Residents fume as GADVASU workers burn bio-medical wasteTNN | Nov 26, 2017, 12.37 AM IST

LUDHIANA: South city residents are upset at the burning of bio-medical wastes in the waste dump near the post mortem complex of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). Sources said that workers of the university collect bio-medical waste including that from post mortem of animals and garbage from the university campus and dump it near the Post Mortem Complex of GADVASU. They added that after that they set the same on fire caring little about the environment. GADVAS sources said that the biomedical waste burnt near the post mortem complex comprises, chemicals, needles, operation related matter and others.Residents of South city area are also upset because of the problem. “I have seen garbage burning in the dump inside the university near back gate of PAU. The university workers are burning garbage and biomedical waste in such a careless manner which can pose serious health problems to us. The University authorities should act tough against the officials indulging in such a practice and dispose of waste in a proper manner,” said Mridula Jain, resident of South City. “The universities by the way should set an example of scientific disposal of biomedical waste but it is shocking that the reverse is happening,” she said.Environmental activists meanwhile say burning of garbage and bio-medical waste is a serious issue. “It has been brought to our notice as well. The university authorities have to spread awareness against environmental pollution. They should take immediate steps to ensure that bio-medical waste is not set on fire in the future,” said Keemti Rawal, an environmental and social activist. He added that burning of biomedical waste can be dangerous for the heath of people living in the area and especially cause serious problems to children and elderly.GADVASU authorities say that they have zero tolerance towards burning of garbage and have issued instructions to the staff not to burn garbage. “We have already issued instructions that no one will set garbage on fire anywhere in the university. We will look into it. Someone might have played mischief or maybe spark from high tension wires passing overhead the dump might have resulted in the same”, said Director Students Welfare (DSW) GADVASU, Satyavn Rampal. He added that they would also deploy security personnel there to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.