Most of the Delhi hospitals, including the premier AIIMS, do not comply with the rules for collection and disposal of bio-medical waste, posing a serious threat to human health and environment, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) said on Wednesday. The Tribunal gave the 33 hospitals four-weeks time to comply with the directions of the Central Pollution Control Board or else the Director and Medical Superintendent of the respective hospitals will face prosecution.
“Majority of the hospitals in Delhi are not complying with the bio-medical waste rule and are thus posing a very serious threat to human health and environment,” a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
The 33 hospitals were found to be violating the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 by a joint inspection team (JIT) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The 33 hospitals also include Safdarjung, Sir Ganga Ram, lady Harding Medical College, Indraprastha Apollo, Ram Manohar lohia, Hindu Rao, St. Stephen’s Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Fortis and Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre ltd among others.