Srinagar, Apr 12: Taking a strong notice of the non-compliance of the norms on management of bio-medical waste, the J&K State Pollution Control Board is initiating action against the “defaulter healthcare establishments” in the City, both private and government-run. The Board has given a three-month ultimatum to the SK Institute of Medical Sciences for compliance while action is also on cards against a private nursing home at Gogji Bagh.
 The healthcare establishments have to manage their bio-medical waste according to the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, which envisage proper segregation of non-infectious waste from the infectious component right at the source and scientific disposal of the latter. The cut off date for compliance to the rules for every category of hospitals has already ended in 2002.
 In a letter vide Order No 07 of 2010 dated 19-3-2010, the Chairman J&K SPCB has asked the Director, SKIMS to take the final opportunity of three months to report compliance with the Bio-Medical Waste Rules, failing which the Director, as Head of the department, will be liable for imprisonment up to 5 years and fine up to Rs 5 lakhs under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act.
 In the letter, the SKIMS has been asked to treat and dispose all waste in accordance with Schedule-V of the Bio-Medical Waste Rules, to have all treatment facilities in place like incinerator, autoclaves, microwave system, etc., to ensure segregation, packaging, transportation and storage of waste as per Rule 6, and to obtain the mandatory authorization from the Board.
 The Chairman has informed the Principal Secretary to the Government, Health & Medical Education department, about the proposed action against the SKIMS.
 The Board is also mulling action against defaulter private hospitals and nursing homes. The “prime defaulter” being the one at Gogji Bagh, which has been denied permission for establishment of Effluent Treatment Plant by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, saying the hospital is functioning without permission from the SMC and in contravention to the Master Plan.
 “The J&K SPCB is going to conduct workshops on the management of Bio-Medical Waste in near future in the Kashmir division in which the management of health care establishments would be trained about the proper management of waste,” said S Farooq Gilani, Regional Director, Kashmir, J&K SPCB.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST