In a major blow to the already reeling state-owned MGM Medical College and Hospital, the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has cancelled the licence of the incinerator installed at the hospital to dispose of the bio-medical wastes.
The medical college hospital superintendent R Y Chowdhury in reply to VK Tripathy, principal secretary, department of health, medical education and family welfare, Jharkhand, has mentioned that the state pollution control board has cancelled the licence of the hospital's incinerator.
It may be recalled that the social organization, Jharkhand Human Rights Council (JHRC), had raised the question of irregularities in the government hospital, following which the hospital was served a show-cause notice. The principal secretary had in his turn asked the superintendent of the medical college hospital to submit a reply on all the points raised by the JHRC.
In his reply, superintendent Chowdhury said that the State Pollution Control Board did not renew the licence of the incinerator a fortnight ago because the hospital lacks a bio-medical waste water treatment plant and also doesn't have a secure land for burying the ashes generated from the bio-medical waste in the incinerator.
Meanwhile, officials of Jharkhand Human Rights Conference said that they had served the deputy commissioner of East Singhbhum and the state pollution control board demanding an investigation on bio waste.
"The pollution control board has already established that hospitals have been violating the bio-medical waste disposal norms resulting in an unhygienic condition. We would also pressurise the pollution control board to conduct similar inspection in the other nursing homes and come out with its fact-finding report," said the official. He said that they have demanded the closure of the private nursing homes so that the administration might find out a solution for resolving the issue which results in health hazards.
The hospital superintendent confirmed that the State Pollution Control Board has rejected renewal of the licence of the incinerator.
"Yes, the JSPCB has refused renewal of the licence for the incinerator. The pollution control board did not renew the licence because we do not have the bio-medical waste water treatment plant and also a secure landfill," said the superintendent. He, however, said that they have requested the JSPCB to renew the licence as they will initiate steps for compliance. He said that the steps are being taken to ensure the renewal.
Regional officer, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, R N Chowdhury confirmed that the MGM Medical College and Hospital's incinerator's licence has been cancelled as the hospital did not set up the necessary waste-water treatment plant and does not have a secure landfill.
The MGM Medical College and Hospital is a government hospital with the facility of 540 beds. Everyday around 1000 patients come here for treatment. It may be mentioned that the State Government-governed Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital, is an Indian medical school established in 1964. It is situated on the outskirts of Jamshedpur near Dimna. The college's hospital is located
in Sakchi.