Srinagar, May 14: The SMHS hospital is posing a potential threat to the population in the Valley by permitting the human scavengers to dispose off untreated biomedical waste.
 The biomedical waste treatment plant in the compound of the hospital here has been non-operational for the past several months.
 The human scavengers throng hospital everyday and collect used syringes, needles, empty dextrose bottles, plastic pipes, sacks and other such waste material.
 Experts said this waste can be recycled which could lead to disastrous health hazard. “Improper management of hospital waste can cause grave environmental problems in terms of air, water and land pollution,” they opined.
 Hospital insiders revealed that a pile of such waste is dumped in backyard of the hospital for scavengers by some ‘elements’. “Everyday they (hospital staff) throw the waste outside the wards and in the secluded backyard. There is every possibility of an outbreak of some disease. This waste should be disposed off in a proper scientific manner,” a senior medico informed.
 “A few rogue elements within the hospital have provided them (rag pickers) keys of the main shutter of the treatment plant. The rag pickers keep the keys of this lock with them. They (rag pickers) enter the plant at their will and collect the biomedical waste. Usually children with large bags come here and carry the waste,” the medico added.
 A young boy carrying a large sack double his size told Greater Kashmir  that they give Rs 2000 to an official for lifting this material.
 “This waste fetches Rs 6000 every month to me out of which I give Rs 2000 to an official. The keys of this shutter (treatment plant)  are with me I carry 5-6 sacks of syringes, glucose bottles and other such waste from this hospital everyday and send it to Jammu,” revealed the rag picker Shahid.
 When contacted Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Shahida Mir refused to comment on the issue and disconnected the line.
 Despite repeated attempts Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sham Lal Sharma could not be contacted. His PRO said, “The Minister is in the seminar.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 IST