Chandigarh 25th June : The Bio Medical Waste scattered in and around Nehru Hospital has been inviting flies, insects, rodents, cats and dogs that may lead to spread of communication disease like plague and rabies if the pathetic condition in and around Central Refuse Station of PGI where Bio-Medical waste from Nehru Hospital and other Centers is collected gives some indications.
Though, the Bio-Medical; Waste is segregated to some extent but its handling and disposal has been potential threat and direct impact on the community, the health care workers and on the environment. Every day, relatively large amount of potentially infectious and hazardous waste are generated at PGI. Various communicable diseases, which spread through water, sweat, blood, body fluids and contaminated organs, are important to be prevented.
The hospital waste like body parts, organs, tissues, blood and body fluids along with soiled linen, cotton, bandage and plaster casts from infected and contaminated areas are very essential to be properly collected, segregated, stored, transported, treated and disposed of in safe manner to prevent nosocomial or hospital acquired infection.
Rag pickers in the hospital, sorting out the garbage are at a risk of getting tetanus and HIV infections. The recycling of disposable syringes, needles, IV sets and other article like glass bottles without proper sterilization are responsible for Hepatitis, HIV, and other viral diseases. It becomes primary responsibility of PGI Administrators to manage hospital waste in most safe and eco-friendly manner
But, the Bio-Medical Waste at the Central Refuse Center is handled in a very casual manner where dogs and other animals are seen eating contaminated organs and body parts.
It has been a daily affair that dogs and other animals wandering on this Bio-Medical Waste lying scattered at Central Refuse Center. No efforts have been made by Medical Superintendent to prevent and control the menace, which has been causing serious threat to the health and lives of PGI Staff, environment in and around Nehru Hospital and general public at large.
The PGI MTA will submit its written complaint to Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, Department of Environment to take serious note of it and initiate suit able civil and criminal action in the matter.