TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The primary health centre at Madkai, Ponda, has come under the scanner of Goa State Pollution Control Board after it was found to be operating in violation of bio-medical waste rules causing environmental pollution and posing health hazard to the neighbourhood.
The PHC health officer has been asked to comply with the provisions of the Bio-Medical Waste Rules 1998 and Environment (Protection) Act 1986 to maintain a pollution-free environment. The health officer has been asked to comply within 15 days, failing which the Board would take legal action including suspension of the consent to operate granted to the health centre.
The notice issued by the GSPCB chairman Jose Manual Noronha on April 10 pointed out that during the inspection of the PHC, it was observed that the medical and other waste were dumped and burnt in a deep pit and the unit has one autoclave, which is not in operation.
“The observations indicate that the health care facility is being operated in a manner that amounts to violation of provisions of the Bio Medical Waste Rules 1998 and as such is contravening the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986,” Noronha said.
He said that such operation of the health care facility is causing severe environmental pollution in the vicinity as also grave health hazards to the neighbourhood. The PHC inspection was done after locals complained of pollution by the centre.
