Serious lacunae have been observed by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in handling of bio-medical waste produced from various hospitals of Chhattisgarh.
The three incinerators established by State Government in Korba, Jagdalpur and Kanker remained unused and instead, a private Incinerator was being used, CAG report released here said.
The report further pointed out that the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) — the nodal agency responsible for enforcing and monitoring the implementation of rules meant for disposing and managing Bio Medical Waste (BMW) — did not conduct any survey to identify the actual number of Health Care Establishments (HCEs) at public and private sectors as well as number of veterinary units in the State requiring authorisation for the management and disposal of BMW.
Due to this, the quantum of BMW generated could not be assessed. The report pointed out “fifty one test-checked HCEs were operating without valid authorisation for handling of BMWs. legal action against such HCEs for not adhering to BMW rules was not being initiated by CECB.”
In none of the test check, HCEs segregation of BMWs and disposal of waste were being done as per the BMW guidelines, it observed. “Government should provide shredding machine to HCEs to ensure proper disposal of BMWs. Despite incinerator being the most preferred way for disposal of BMWs, the three Government incinerators were idle”, it mentioned.
The CAG report also noted irregularities in disposal of radioactive waste. “X ray films are developed using multi-user liquid Hypo-fixer. The used Hypo-fixer contains radioactive particles which are washed off from X-ray film. These hazardous waste are either being flushed in open drain or thrown in open grounds/deep pit, which may have serious health problems for the local people,” report said.