Kerala Pollution Control Board Takes Action Against Govt Medical College Hospital
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued a formal show cause notice to the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Ernakulam, following serious allegations of improper solid waste handling and dumping on its campus. This decisive action comes after a thorough inspection by PCB officials, prompted by multiple complaints regarding the hospital's waste management practices.
Inspection Reveals Alarming Waste Disposal Practices
Officials from the Pollution Control Board conducted a detailed inspection of the MCH campus on Friday. During their visit, they discovered a significant accumulation of plastic bags filled with solid waste, including both biodegradable paper and non-biodegradable plastic materials, haphazardly dumped in the hospital's parking area. The inspection team also noted that earthen pits had been dug on the premises, intended for the burial of solid waste, a practice that raises serious environmental and health concerns.
Critical Waste Management Systems Found Non-Operational
The inspection report highlighted several critical failures in the hospital's waste management infrastructure. Notably, the biogas plant and aerobic composting units, which are essential for processing organic waste, were found to be completely non-operational. Additionally, the ultra-filtration unit within the sewage treatment plant was also not functioning, further exacerbating the waste management crisis at the facility.
The PCB emphasized that the consent to operate 500 beds at the hospital was granted under specific conditions, which included the proper management of solid and plastic waste. The board has now directed the hospital management to immediately ensure adequate facilities for the proper disposal of all solid waste generated on the premises. They have been given a strict deadline of one week to submit a comprehensive report detailing the corrective measures taken, failing which further legal action will be initiated.
Local Municipality Intervenes to Prevent Waste Burial
In a related development, the Kalamassery municipality took proactive steps to prevent the planned burial of approximately 10 tonnes of solid waste in dug pits on the MCH campus. Upon receiving complaints about this intended action, the municipality dispatched its health officials to the site to halt the process. When hospital officials attempted to obstruct the local body's inspection, the municipality escalated the matter by filing a formal complaint with the state health minister. This complaint subsequently led to the swift arrival of PCB officials, who conducted their own inspection based on the municipality's report.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in waste management at major healthcare institutions and highlights the critical role of regulatory bodies in enforcing environmental standards. The PCB's notice serves as a stern reminder to all hospitals about the importance of adhering to waste disposal protocols to protect public health and the environment.
