Medical waste disposal under lens
By Purusharth Aradhak
Noida, India - The UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has been directed by the National Green Tribunal to issue notices to all hospitals to ensure proper disposal of medical waste. UPPCB on Wednesday said it will begin inspection of bio-medical waste disposal mechanism in all hospitals, nursing homes and clinics from Thursday. Officials said if anybody is found guilty, stringent action will be taken and their licence could also be cancelled.
The decision of launching an intensive inspection drive came after the green tribunal ordered UPPCB and pollution authorities to ascertain whether bio-medical waste producers are following norms.
The tribunal is of the view that hazardous medical waste can be dangerous to people if dumped without a proper disposal mechanism.
"Mercury, radioactive and other forms of waste generated in hospitals pollute the environment and pose a threat to the health of people," an official said. Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad pollution board authorities are likely to launch the inspection drive from Thursday.
"We will visit each of the 225 hospitals, clinics and nursing homes to inspect how do they collect, segregate, transport and dispose off bio-medical waste. We will take action against the violators and submit our report before May 22, the next hearing before the tribunal," said Parasnath, UPPCB regional officer (Gautam Budh Nagar).
Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar has about 350 and 250 hospitals, nursing homes and clinics, respectively.
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