TUESDAY, MAY 07, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Following the recent protests by medical practitioners over the high costs involved for handling of bio-medical waste (BMW), the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has now sent a request to the government where they have appealed to be given 50 per cent subsidy for handling of BMW.
The IMA State office-bearers had a meeting at the Kundaim BMW Treatment Plant that was also attended by officials of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and officials of the Biotic Waste Solutions, which is running the Kundaim plant.
IMA Goa State President Dr Vinayak Buvaji spoke on how to free the land of Goa from hazardous BMW generated by each and every health stakeholders.
Dr Shekhar Salkar, coordinator BMW IMA Goa State, briefed about the past, ongoing discussions, meetings with Toxic Link, Goa Waste Management Control (GWMC), GSPCB and the concerned government departments and conclusions over the last 10 years to sort out the issues of BMW.
While summarising the deliberations several decisions taken are:
The first was regarding the IMA making an official communication to the government asking for the 50 per cent subsidy to lessen the burden of heavy charges. Second was about changing the annual 10 per cent hike to three years of the stipulated charges.
The third was about the government forming a committee under Chief Secretary/Secretary with all the State level medical associations for detailed deliberations within the legal framework.
It was decided that if the government agrees upon considering 50 per cent subsidy, it would start from the date of signing the MoU.
Finally, the IMA Goa office has requested all doctors to get their authorisation done with the GSPCB to avoid any penalty.
