Taking grave cognizance of reports regarding violation of BioMedical Waste Management Rules-2016, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Tuesday issued stern instructions to the Government as well as private healthcare facilities for compliance with said Rules.

Sidhu said that biomedical waste is one of potential threat to the mankind and environment likewise stubble burning, industrial waste, sewage and other pollutions so that it must be disposed of safely and scientifically as per norms.

He said that it was being observed that many of the healthcare facilities are not disposing of their biomedical waste scientifically which is leading to increase in transmit infections, particularly HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Tetanus, to the people who handle it or come in contact with it.

Sidhu said that bio-medical waste, that is any solid or liquid waste including its container and any intermediate product, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biological or in health camps such as human anatomical waste like tissues, organs and body parts, waste sharps like hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpels and broken glass, discarded medicines, blood bags, rubber gloves, all used medical items and cytotoxic drugs etc, must be disposed of scientifically as per rules.

“Continuous training regarding the biomedical waste management is being given by the Health Department on district and block level,” he said adding that he had also directed the Civil Surgeons to ensure proper compliance of parameters in collaboration with the Punjab Pollution Control Board.

The Minister said that all hospitals, covered under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, must obtain the consent to operate from PPCB under said Acts.

“Following the laid norms, a record of biomedical waste must be kept in a proper manner by each healthcare facility which can be audited any time by the state as well as district-level inspection teams,” he said adding that non-compliance would not be spared at any cost and stern action would be taken against erring officers and responsible.