The district health department in Jamshedpur has launched a stringent drive against the improper disposal of bio-medical waste, issuing a final warning to all healthcare facilities and diagnostic labs in the region. This action comes in response to alarming reports of hazardous medical waste being dumped in public areas, posing a severe risk to community health and the environment.
Final Warning Issued to Erring Healthcare Units
On Friday, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sahir Pall confirmed that a public notice has been formally issued to all hospitals, nursing homes, and bio-testing laboratories. The directive mandates strict adherence to the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016 and the guidelines set by the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB). Dr. Pall stated that the department received specific reports about irresponsible disposal of hazardous bio-waste in public places by some testing labs, prompting this decisive move.
The notice serves as an ultimatum. "We are giving a final warning to the erring operators to comply," Dr. Pall emphasized. He warned that failure to follow the rules would result in strict punitive action under pollution control regulations, including the potential cancellation of operating licenses. The official clarified that this order applies uniformly to both government and private healthcare centres across the district.
Three-Member Panel for Random Inspections
To ensure compliance, the health department has constituted a three-member panel tasked with conducting surprise, random inspections of nursing homes and healthcare centres. The panel's primary objective is to verify whether these facilities are correctly managing their bio-medical waste as per the established protocols.
The crackdown gained urgency after a specific incident on December 1. Health officials acted on reports that untreated syringes, used cotton, sample tubes, and expired medicines were found discarded in the open near two private nursing homes in the Sakchi area. The department promptly removed the hazardous waste and has issued a notice to the concerned hospital, seeking an explanation. "Accordingly, we will take action," Dr. Pall affirmed.
Public Health and Environmental Risks Highlighted
Medical experts have underscored the grave dangers of improper bio-medical waste handling. Physician Dr. Mrityunjay Singh explained that untreated waste not only impacts human health but also degrades the surrounding environment. The risk extends to stray animals, which can fall seriously ill or even die after coming into contact with carelessly discarded medical items like needles or infected materials.
The scale of the issue is significant, given the number of healthcare facilities in the district. Notably, Jamshedpur is home to over 15 hospitals, including major institutions like the Jamshedpur Sadar Hospital and MGMMCH. Additionally, there are 10 community healthcare centres and more than 20 nursing homes, all of which are now under scrutiny to uphold proper waste disposal standards and safeguard public welfare.
