Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General Of India For the year ended 31 March 2000 Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishment Government of West Bengal

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments Howrah Municipal Corporation did not monitor disposal of hazardous biomedical waste by the clinical establishment in hygienic manner causing serious health hazards and pollution

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments Planning Commission in a report on ‘Urban Solid Waste Management in India’ estimated that hospitals were generating 1-2 Kgs of waste per person per day of which 85 per cent was non-hazardous and the remaining was infectious and hazardous. Institutions generating bio-medical wastes include hospital, nursing home, veterinary institutions, animal house, clinical laboratories, etc.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments The standards for treatment and disposal of biomedical waste were notified by Government of India in Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effects on human health and environment.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments A test-check during March 2000 was conducted in Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) to review compliance of the rules regarding the disposal of biomedical wastes by the private establishments and a Government Hospital located in the HMC area.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments HMC framed (1997) regulations specifying the duties of institutions/establishment generating biomedical waste for collection and removal of the waste and the fees to be charged by HMC against disposal of biomedical waste. There were 92 enlisted private medical establishments as of 1997 and one general hospital in HMC Area. The hospital has a total 600 beds and the 92 establishments had on average 6 to 10 beds each.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments On an average a total quality of 1.50 ton biomedical waste were generated per day from these establishments calculated on the basis of number of beds maintained in these establishments. Scrutiny of records revealed: (i) Facilities like autoclave/incinerator in the hospital/medical establishment for treatment to make the waste free from contamination was inadequate.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments (ii) In the Government Hospital and in these establishments and the HMC there was lack of awareness and apathy in management of biomedical waste. Twenty-one of 92 enlisted institutions obtained facilities provided since 1997 by HMC on payment, for transporting biomedical wastes to the dumping ground segregated by HMC for the purpose. Howrah General Hospital made their own arrangement for transporting the waste to the dumping ground of HMC.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments HMC was not aware and had no control over how and where the remaining 71 units were dumping the waste. (iii) The ground segregated by HMC for dumping such wastes were not protected by boundary walls or guarded against trespassers. Lack of protective measures facilitates easy accesses of scavengers and dispersal of the waste and thus increase hazards of environment pollution.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments (iv) No survey was conducted by the HMC to assess the extent of adverse effects on the health and environment due to exposure to untreated hazardous waste and unsystematic disposal of such wastes. (v) Even though the biomedical waste was identified by the Planning Commission as a source of water pollution, HMC had taken no action to ensure that water was not contaminated from such waste.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments Report of Special Officer (Conservancy) revealed that these institutions carelessly dumped the waste in the vicinity without any regards for their potential health hazards. HMC did not take serious cognizance of the lapse although these institutions were carrying out activities under the license of the Corporation. Though there was system of inspection of these units by the Health Authorities, there was no record to indicate that inspections were carried out.

Improper disposal of biomedical waste by medical establishments During , HMC spent Rs.70 lakh for solid waste disposal while they could recover waste disposal charge of Rs.3.83 lakh on 21 establishment alone every year since Thus, unprofessional and lackadaisical approach of HMC towards disposal of biomedical wastes led to increase the hazards on human health and environment apart from the loss of Rs lakh due to non-imposition of charges on disposals. The matter was referred to Government in April 2000; reply had not been received (March 2001).