Better management of bio-medical waste emphasised

Three-day workshop on training the trainers begins in city

The workshop aims to train the trainers in the field of biomedical waste management from all hospitals – government and private, sensitising them on the best practices to be followed while disposing the biomedical waste generated in primary health care centres, hospitals and diagnostics.

Deputy Commissioner P S Vastrad inaugurated the workshop which would be attended by more than 250 medical professionals spanning three days beginning Thursday.

In his inaugural address, the Vastrad called for a safe method of disposal. 

“The bio-medical wastes pollutes water, soil and air. The medical waste pollution can lead to disastrous health hazards. A proper disposal of bio-medical waste can curtail up to 80 per cent of diseases,” the deputy commissioner remarked.

He said the western countries have succeeded in arresting the spread of harmful diseases like malaria and others.

But, we have not been able to achieve 100 per cent progress. A better handling of biomedical waste can improve the situation, he opined and added that a supreme court judgment and a Lok Adalat directive mandates for a safe disposal of medical wastes in hospitals.

“The rules must be implemented effectively to ensure safety in disposal,” Vastrad stated. On the occasion, Sathyavathi said the people in the medical fraternity have a joint onus towards the safe management of biomedical waste. They should work together for it,” she said.

Dr Vikas, coordinator of the workshop and representative of Environment Management and Policy (EMPRI) Research Institution asked the participants to interact freely and share the problems they face in the field. “We can list out the problems and submit a recommendation to the government for corrective measures.” 

The workshop is being organised under the Karnataka Health System Development and Research project and under the joint auspices of office of District Health and Family Welfare, KHSDR and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. DHO Dr Malegowda, Dr Prasanna Shankar, environment officer Niranjan, Dr Nagaraj and others were present.