Despite stringent norms laid down for the disposal of biomedical waste by the state government, it can be found in abundance lying at the premises of SSG hospital, Vadodara. One can find used bandages, cotton, and medical gloves in plenty.

The recent controversy regarding the sale of biomedical waste in Ahmedabad has once again created major concern for the hospital officials across the state. According to the state government norms, the hospital authorities should mandatory dispose the biomedical waste at the incinerators.  But when DNA visited SSG hospital premises, the scene was really disturbing.

According to hospital officials, a team headed by Dr Kunal Kakravat from Gandhinagar, made a surprise visit on Monday to check whether there is proper disposal of bio waste at the SSG hospital or not. While hospital authorities claim that the team had given a clean chit to the SSG hospital, in reality the bio waste can be found at various locations in hospital.

Bio waste such as used bandages and cotton buds were found lying at the hospital premises. Medical gloves in large quantities were also found at various locations of the hospital.  A used glove mixed with other debris near the surgical ward of the hospital was also found.

Scrap collectors were found roaming freely collecting bio waste such as gloves, plastic bags which are used for the collection of the bio waste and even used syringes. According to the senior sanitary inspector Pradeep Bhatt, “There are two incinerators installed in the SSG hospital premises. Both the incinerators are in working condition. The hospital staff is assigned with the responsibility of gathering the bio-waste plastic bags and sending it to incinerator section for the disposal.” But there is a major negligence by the hospital staff members, due to which the bio waste is found at various locations in the hospital premises.

When asked, Dr Atul Saxena, superintendent said, “I have taken the charge as medical superintendent of the hospital today itself. Let me look into the matter.” It may be recalled that DNA had exposed the negligence of the hospital authorities in disposing the bio waste in August 2008, due to which the health department of the state had sent a team to personally investigate the entire matter.

Maulik Buch/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication