PANJIM: Nearly 300 kg of outdated medicines and medical waste was found burnt in an open space at Kadamba plateau during an inspection by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Wednesday.
The Board has decided to write to various pharma companies, whose labels were found at the site, to find out to whom these medicines were supplied.
The Directorate of Health Services, Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) and city-based private hospitals have come under the board’s scanner.
The inspection was conducted following complaints from Chimbel villagers about open disposal of medical waste at Kadamba Plateau. “During the inspection, it was observed that 300 kg of medical waste, especially outdated medicines, were burnt in an open space, leading to environmental pollution,” GSPCB chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said.
Noronha said that the chemical analysis of the medicines found at the site, noted that these are outdated medicines. “Our inspection team found some labels of medicines there, based on which we would be writing to pharma companies to provide details of the buyers,” he said.
“Unless we ascertain, to whom these medicines were sold, we cannot take action,” Noronha added stating that Chimbel villagers claim it is Directorate of Health Services that burnt the waste.
Noronha said medical waste cannot be burnt in open spaces but needs to be incinerated. Open disposal of medical waste can lead to health problems in the surrounding areas.
Chimbel villagers on Tuesday had complained to GSPCB alleging that DHS has disposed off unwanted and expired medicines at Kadamba plateau without adopting proper measures. The locals sought to know whether the Board had granted the department permission to dispose medical waste.
