In an independent survey conducted by The Sangai Express on the system of managing the bio-medical wastes in the Government Hospitals and RIMS, it came to light that there has been no proper mechanism of disposing these bio-medical wastes in all these health institutions so far.
At RIMS, which has been upgraded to the status of AIIMS, management of the bio-medical waste generated is not in conformity with the norms issued by the Manipur Pollution Control Board.
Even as blood stained cottons and syringes are seen strewn around the road side within the campus of the premier medical institution, these potentially harmful wastes are also being kept bundled together in open spaces in between wards.
In his connection, convenor of Bio-medical Waste Management of RIMS Dr A Somorendro said that inspite of the best efforts being made to follow the laid down norms of disposing bio-medical waste strictly, problem still exist due to lack of adequate number of sweepers in the hospital which has 1000 beds.
There has been no common bio-medical treatment facility area or autoclave or shredder machine in RIMS, although there have been orders in this regard, Dr Somorendro disclosed.
According to Additional Director in-charge of Public Health of the State Health Department Dr Th Bhubanchandra, necessary equipments for installation of incinerators to ensure proper disposal ensure proper disposal of biomedical wastes in all the district hospitals under the Department have been provided.
But they have not yet been installed.
If the bio-medical wastes are not properly managed and disposed off, they can lead to further spread of the diseases, Dr Bhubanchandra pointed out.
In view of this serious health implication, any private hospitals which do not follow the norms of disposing bio-medical waste properly can forfeit their license and if it is a Government hospital then action can be taken up against the hospital authority.