Hospitals in Kashmir Not Managing Bio-Medical Waste

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Oct 3: A survey conducted by the Pollution Control Board (PCB)in Kashmir has revealed that none of the hospitals in Kashmir manages the bio-medical waste as per the prescribed rules.

The findings of the survey report reveal that the management of bio-medical waste management is a least priority in hospitals in Kashmir.

As per the survey report, 2000 kg of waste are generated per day in Kashmir's biggest hospital; Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), comprising 500 beds. The waste is is kept un-segregated for the treatment.

Similarly, in SMHS, the second biggest hospital in Kashmir, 1500 kg of waste is generated per day.

The survey report also claims that some waste is also burnt in open. "Also the infectious waste is temporarily stored in an outside incinerator that is accessible to stray animals", it said.

The survey informs that the lack of coordination between various government departments and the departments within the health care institutions is handicapping the implementation process of bio-medical waste management rules. The report says that the management of bio-medical waste should be a priority while making provision of funds for health care institution.

Mismanagement of the administration in the hospitals and lack of enough funds; and not the non-availability of facilities, is a proving cause of the mess in the waste management in the hospitals here in Kashmir.

The report has also given a list of recommendations in its survey report for the improvement of waste management system. These include segregation of bio-medical waste from other wastes. It should be done into containers at the point of generation prior to its storage, treatment and disposal. The containers shall be labeled.

The report suggests that personnel from areas such as housekeeping, laundry, kitchen and others with the institution should be involved in the waste management.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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