Jamshedpur Health Dept Cracks Down on Bio-Medical Waste Disposal Violations

Jamshedpur: The district health department has instructed healthcare centres and bio-testing labs to adhere to the guidelines of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) and the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016, for disposing of bio-medical waste.The department issued a public notice to hospitals, nursing homes, and labs after receiving reports about some laboratories disposing of bio-medical waste in public places.“We received reports about some bio-testing laboratories disposing of hazardous bio waste in public places irresponsibly. Therefore, the public notice has been issued," civil surgeon Sahir Pall said on Friday.He has announced that a three-member panel has been formed to conduct random inspections of nursing homes and healthcare centres to determine whether bio waste management rules are followed.Pall said that through the notice, the health department is giving a final warning to the erring operators to comply, or else strict punitive action will be taken in accordance with the pollution control rules, and the licence to operate will be cancelled.The official added that the notice applies to both govt and private healthcare centres.On Dec 1, the health department received reports that untreated syringes, used cotton, sample tubes, and expired medicines were discarded in an the open near two private nursing homes in the Sakchi area.

Following this, health officials took action and removed the waste. "We have issued a notice to the hospital concerned and have sought a reply. Accordingly, we will take action," Pall said.Physician Dr Mrityunjay Singh said that untreated bio-medical waste impacts humans and the surrounding environment. Even stray animals could fall sick or become casualties of loosely discarded medical waste upon coming into contact with it.Notably, there are over 15 hospitals in the district, including the Jamshedpur Sadar Hospital and MGMMCH. Additionally, there are 10 community healthcare centres and over 20 nursing homes in the district.