By IANS,
New Delhi : To ensure safe and proper management of bio-medical waste, the environment ministry has proposed new rules under which all health institutions are required to obtain authorisation of medical waste treatment facility.
The Draft Bio-Medical Waste Management and Handling Rules 2011 put in the public domain by the ministry seeking suggestions will replace the Bio-Medical Waste Rules 1998.
According to ministry, the new rules are comprehensive, strict and several new provisions are added in it.
Under the new rules, it has been stipulated that irrespective of the quantum of bio-medical waste generation, every occupier – hospital, nursing home, clinic, dispensary, veterinary institution, animal house, pathological laboratory and blood banks – shall apply for grant of authorisation.
“Earlier, authorisation of medical waste treatment facility was not required by an institution providing service to less than 1000 patients per month. But now the condition on quantity of patient has been removed,” said a ministry official.
India faces a massive problem of bio-medical waste disposal as several hospitals collect the medical waste and dump them in open grounds rather than treating them.
The draft rules make hospital and owner of medical waste treatment facility liable for all damages caused due to improper handling of waste.