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PUNE: Considering the serious lapses in the disposal and management of bio-medical waste generated by clinical establishments in the state, the
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has decided to make a region-wise inventory of all bio-medical waste generating units. The move is significant as a large number of clinics and hospitals in and around the city still have not sought the essential authorisation required for bio-medical waste generation from the board.

“The board has decided to outsource the work of identifying and preparing a detailed list of hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres of each region to an agency or an educational institute. The move is expected to consolidate the surveillance system of the board in respect of bio-medical waste,” P K Mirashe, regional officer of the Pune MPCB told TOI. The work involves identifying bio-medical waste generating units, excluding those already identified by the board as of September 30.

The agency concerned will conduct a physical survey in the city and the district as well as other districts, such as Satara and Solapur which come under Pune region, to make a detailed list of all clinical establishments which have not sought authorisation from the board. “We will then issue notices to them to apply for authorisation, failing which they will have to face legal action,” Mirashe said.

Currently there are approximately 5,000 clinics in the city, of which only 2,000 have sought the authorisation of the board. “Initially, we could contact just a few which were registered with the city chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Pune Municipal Corporation. But a large number have still not been identified. The move will bring every hospital, clinic and diagnostic centre on the list of the board, following which it will be possible to keep a tab on the bio-medical waste generated at these units,” Mirashe added.

Calling it a welcome move, Avinash Bhondwe, president of the city chapter of IMA said the move will go a long way in consolidating the bio-medical waste management in and around the city. “We have been pro-actively helping the board and the PMC by persuading our members to join the incineration facility,” Bhondwe said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune/Now_an_inventory_for_hospitals_t...