The Chairman,
Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee,
Paryavaran Bhawan, Ground Floor,
Madhya Marg, Sector 19 B,
Chandigarh.
Subject: – Sheer negligence and callousness in handling and disposal of Bio Medical Waste having potential threat and direct impact on the patients, community, the health care workers and on the environment.
Respected Sir,
With due respect, it is submitted that the Hospital Administration under the direct control of Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta, Medical Superintendent, who also supervise the Sanitation Wing, has been playing with the lives of PGI staff and general public and polluting environment, which may cause epidemic.
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 poor handling and disposal at PGIMER, Chandigarh has been a serious and 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.
It is relevant to submit that few anti-social elements in connivance with officers / officials of PGI open the sealed bags at the Central Refuse Station to take out plastic and other items, which are pilferaged for selling it in the market. It is why the Bio Medical Waste is scattered at Central Refuse Station. It is quite evident from the photographs annexed with this letter. This illegal and unethical practice may prove fatal.
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 Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta, Medical Superintendent and his team of Hospital Administration has completely failed to discharge its moral as well as statutory duties who operate from Air-conditioned rooms.
The Bio-Medical Waste at the Central Refuse Station and while transporting from Nehru Hospital and other Centers is handled in a very casual manner where dogs and other animals are seen feeding on 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 Station. No efforts have been made by Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta, 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 Bio Medical Waste can be seen lying on the road in front of Central Refuse Station of PGI situated on road between Nehru Hospital and New OPD, where hundreds of patients, general public and staff commute round the clock daily.
The PGI MTA has taken few photographs recently which shows the highly pathetic condition indicating how the Bio Medical Waste at PGI is handled, which is lying scattered on the road.
Your good self is, therefore requested to take suitable civil as well as criminal action under the provisions of Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1988 read with Environment Act, 1986 against Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta, Medical Superintendent and his team of Hospital Administration for causing serious threat to the health and lives of staff and community at large by polluting the environment.
The photographs taken at the Central Refuse Station where dogs are seen feeding on the Bio-Medical Waste are attached.
It is hoped that an immediate action will be taken to address the serious issue of public interest and to save environment.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours faithfully, Dated: – 27th June, 2015
–sd–
(Ashwani Munjal)
General Secretary