Pune: Biomedical waste, considered among the most hazardous categories of hospital waste, has been found dumped in the open inside the Aundh District Hospital (ADH) campus, raising serious concerns over public health and safety.
Used injections, syringes, medicine vials, saline bottles and face masks were spotted lying unattended on open ground behind the 108 ambulance service office near the Chest (Tuberculosis) Hospital on Tuesday. The waste was reportedly noticed by citizens and attendants of patients visiting the facility.
A relative of a patient, requesting anonymity, said, “We come here for treatment, but seeing such hazardous waste lying in the open is frightening. Children and elderly people are moving around. This is extremely unsafe.”
Spread across 85 acres, the ADH campus houses two key facilities — the District Hospital and the Chest Hospital. However, officials from both institutions denied responsibility, stating that the waste does not belong to their respective hospitals.
Dr Abhijeet Hosmani, medical superintendent of Chest Hospital, said, “The waste does not appear to be waste generated from our facilities. There is a possibility that it is being brought from outside and dumped here after dark. We will initiate an inquiry and strengthen surveillance.”
According to the officials, the issue is not new. Similar incidents were reported in the past in the same campus. Following which, complaints were given to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) over inadequate monitoring and enforcement within the campus.
{{/usCountry}}According to the officials, the issue is not new. Similar incidents were reported in the past in the same campus. Following which, complaints were given to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) over inadequate monitoring and enforcement within the campus.
{{/usCountry}}Dr Nagnath Yempalle, Pune district civil surgeon and head of ADH, said the waste does not belong to us and was reportedly found dumped near the Chest Hospital. “I have issued orders to the security to keep surveillance and take appropriate action,” he said.
The Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016 apply to all individuals who generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose of, or handle biomedical waste in any form. Along with hospitals and nursing homes, the rules apply to clinics, dispensaries, veterinary institutions, pathological laboratories, blood banks, blood donation camps, research institutions and vaccination camps that also generate biomedical waste.