The healthcare institutions in Haryana are blatantly flouting Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) rules. The Comptroller and Auditor General has slammed the State Government for inefficient management of biomedical waste, pointing out that many healthcare establishments in the State were found guilty of violating the norms.
“Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and Health Department did not enforce the Bio-medical waste (management and handling) Rules, 1998 as bio-medical waste (BMW) generating establishments were not identified and authorised health care establishments were not inspected. Neither, the BMW was being segregated in colour coded containers nor disposed off properly,” stated the CAG.
According to the annual reports submitted by HSPCB to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there were 2,145 authorised healthcare establishments (HCEs) in 2011 in the State which increased to 2,505 as of March 2014. During an inspection at four (Ballabhgarh, Jind, Panipat and Yamunagar) out of 12 regional offices of HSPCB, the CAG observed that from 2009-14, HSPCB was required to conduct 40,788 monthly inspections of authorised HCEs against which only 1,403 inspections (three per cent) were conducted.
The Environment Department had in November 2009 made it mandatory for HSPCB to carry out a monthly inspection of all the authorised HCEs particularly regard to generation and removal of biomedical waste. The CAG report for the year ending 2014 said, “HSPCB had not identified the biomedical waste generating units to ensure the enforcement of rules and the Health Department had not ensured that all the biomedical waste generating healthcare establishments (HCEs) obtain authorisation under the BMW rules. As of March 2014, 2669 Government veterinary institutions in the State had not applied for authorisation under the rules due to the lack of directions of HSPCB, observed the CAG.
The report further stated that after irregularities were noticed in premises of three common treatment facility (CTF) operators, the State Government in May 2012 had asked them to install web cameras at CTF. Though the CCTV cameras were installed, these were not connected with internet for monitoring of the activities by HSPCB.
Elaborating about the inspection to check the records pertaining to quantum of bio-medical waste generated, the CAG said, “Out of 80 HCEs inspected, 39 HCEs were not submitting annual reports to HSPCB. Also, the HSPCB was not compiling annual reports consisting details of bio-medical waste generated and disposed by each HCEs which was violation of BWM rules.” As per the rules, every HCE has to maintain records relating to the generation, storage, treatment and disposal of the bio-medical waste.
The CAG also pointed out non-segregation of biomedical waste in colour coded containers, improper storage and collection, improper disposal of this hazardous waste and non-compliance by service providers. Notably, improper management of biomedical waste can causes serious environment problems in terms of water, air and land pollution. The hospital waste like sharps, soiled waste, disposables, anatomical waste, cultures, discarded medicines, chemical wastes or one in the form of disposable syringes, swabs, bandages, body fluids, is highly infectious and poses a serious threat to human health if not managed in a scientific and discriminate manner.
“In August 2012, the State Government had decided to set up common biomedical waste disposal and treatment facility in four districts including Faridabad, Karnal, Hisar and Jhajjar. An amount of Rs0.97 crore, which was released as grants-in-aid to HSPCB by the State Government during 2009-14 for the establishments of these common facilities, was lying unspent with the HSPCB. The funds could not be utilised due to non-allotment of land by Urban local Bodies Department and non-taking of initiative by Health Department,” added the CAG.