Hospital fined Rs 1 lakh for dumping medical waste near lake

The source of the medical waste found next to Alahalli Lake in Anjanapura ward on Monday has been traced to Meridian Medical Centre, Fraser Town, revealed investigations by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

Board chairman Lakshman told DH: “A notice has been served to the medical centre and the police have been asked to register a criminal case. The board and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials inspected the spot and seized the medical waste.”

KSPCB has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on the hospital for its failure to dispose of medical waste appropriately.

“When we examined the waste, we found 10 bills of Meridian Medical Centre littered there. I have written to the health officers of Shivajinagar division to slap a penalty on the centre. The officials will take action,” said a BBMP health officer of Anjanapura.

KSPCB and BBMP officials came to the spot at 6.30 am and cleared the medical waste and sprayed disinfectants, said Anand Yadwad, the managing trustee of Alahalli Lake and Neighbourhood Improvement Trust.

K A Raghavendra, health inspector of Anjanapura ward said among the things that were found in the waste were vials used for blood test, pieces of small bottles and blood soaked surgical gloves.

“We have kept the seized materials safe, far from the reach of public. We also cannot deal with the waste. We will hand over the waste to Maridi Eco Industries Pvt Ltd. They will process it scientifically,” said Raghavendra.