Safe disposal of medical waste is a must: Dr KK Aggarwal, HCFI

A recent survey by ASSOCHAM has indicated that about 5,900 tonnes of bio-medical waste is generated in Delhi and NCR alone, with the share of Delhi alone being roughly about 2,200 tonnes

A recent survey by ASSOCHAM has indicated that about 5,900 tonnes of bio-medical waste is generated in Delhi and NCR alone, with the share of Delhi alone being roughly about 2,200 tonnes. NCR creates 1,200 tonnes of bio-medical waste and Gurugram produces 1,100 tonnes of such waste, while Ghaziabad’s share is estimated at around 800 tonnes.

This situation is made worse by the fact that most of this waste remains untreated and dumped with municipal waste causing serious health and environmental hazard.

Bio-medical waste means any waste, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biologicals.

Speaking about this, Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), said, “Untreated hospital waste can pose major risks to those who may come into contact with it. These risks include AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), Hepatitis B and C, gastroenteric infections, respiratory infections, blood stream infections, skin infections, effects of radioactive substances, and intoxication. Waste management is an integral part of a hospital’s hygiene and maintenance activities. In fact, only 15 per cent of hospital waste, that is, ‘Bio-medical waste’ is hazardous. However, when hazardous waste is not segregated at the source of generation and mixed with nonhazardous waste, then 100 per cent waste becomes hazardous.”

Segregation is the essence of waste management and should be done at the source of generation of Bio-medical waste e.g. all patient care activity areas, diagnostic services areas, operation theaters, labour rooms, treatment rooms etc.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor of IJCP, said, “Safe medical waste disposal is imperative not just in large establishments but also at home. One should have a medical waste disposal box at home, and these can be easily obtained from companies catering to this area, and some of them even offer a pick-up service.”