PANJIM: Conceding that the autoclave and incinerator at Goa Medical College and Hospital were unable to process the huge quantum of bio-medical waste generated from various hospitals and clinics, the State urged private health care institutions to install their own facilities and ease the pressure on the GMC facility.
Minister for Science and Technology Alina Saldanha told the House on Tuesday that medical waste generated from large hospitals and nursing homes has become a major concern as it could have harmful effect owing to its hazardous nature.
“I agree that the GMC cannot cope with the (huge) quantum of waste to be treated by the autoclave and incinerator. We had therefore discussed that private hospitals should have their own facility,” she said, responding to calling attention motion moved by her party colleague Dr Pramod Sawant.
The facility at GMC also caters to bio-medical waste generated from the district hospital in Mapusa and Hospicio in Margao in addition to waste from Panjim.
The minister commented that if the solution is heeded to, then GMC will be able to handle bio-medical waste from primary health centres as well.
The Sankhali MLA had pointed to the government’s failure to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules especially regarding bio-medical waste. He also sought to know the government’s intention to safeguard the security of public health.
As per guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board, there should be one common biomedical waste facility in a radius of 150 kms. “It is a fact that establishing this facility would be scientifically viable and economical solution for disposal of such waste. In the action plan approved by the High Level Task Force, the GSIDC has been asked to provide one acre of industrial plot in any industrial area in Ponda for setting up the common biomedical waste treatment facility,” Saldanha said.
