Dist-Level Body To Oversee Biomedical Waste Disposal

Hospitals in rural areas are found to unknowingly flout norms as they are often unaware of changes in rules Keeping in mind that Maharashtra generates most biomedical waste in India, the government has now decided to form a district-level committee to monitor collection and scientific disposal of such waste. The process will be supervised by respective district collector. Stakeholders in the matter claim that it will help them tackle the waste disposal problem.

According to a statewide report, Maharashtra leads the country in generating largest amount of biomedical waste. The waste from hospitals, nursing homes, blood banks and veterinary institutions, including used syringes, bandages, amputated body parts and other human and animal biowaste generated during medical treatment and research are categorised as biomedical waste.

Already, a state-level committee has been formed to monitor whether guidelines of Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, are being implemented in a proper manner. The state public health department has now issued directions to collectors to constitute the committee at district levels too.

Bodies such as the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) will find representation in the board. At present, the local bodies look after collection and disposal of biomedical waste. Once the committee is formed, it is expected to ensure proper coordination between all the government departments.

The committee will collect data and take review of quantum of biomedical waste being generated in the district. It will also monitor registration of private and government hospitals for biomedical waste, implementation of the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act, 1949, resolve problems arising for civic bodies or hospitals as well as inspections. The body will have to compulsorily hold a meeting once in three months and submit a report to the state-level committee once in a month.

Dr Ashok Nandapurkar, district civil surgeon, said, “This will help the medical establishments. Hospitals in rural areas unknowingly flout rules, due to which their MPCB certificates are pending for clearance.”

“In rural areas we have authorised agencies to collect medical waste. The agencies also cry foul over the quantity of waste handed over by the hospitals, claiming it is too less,” added Dr Nandapurkar.

Dr Dilip Mane, health officer, Pune district, said, “In some centres, we don’t have authorised agencies; due to this the staff at the centres handle the waste and manage it.”

Dr Sanjay Patil, president, IMA, Pune branch, said, “This will help us bring to notice of the authorities the problem faced by our hospitals. Many times, the new rules are not feasible for us to follow.”

Dr Ramchandra Hankare, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), health chief, said, “PMC has its own biomedical plant.” – Pune Mirror