54 hospitals found violating bio-medical waste rules in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Fifty-four hospitals were found violating norms of bio-medical waste disposal during raids conducted in the last week, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) said.

"A total of 22 teams conducted raids throughout the state. These teams were led by senior environmental engineers and their subordinates, and a total of 108 hospitals were raided. 54 government and private hospitals were found violating norms of Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998," PPCB chairman KS Pannu said.

According to these rules, all hospitals are required to segregate bio-medical waste from other waste for its treatment.

If the hospitals do not have its own bio-medical waste treatment facilities, then the waste are to be taken to the facilities at Mohali, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Amritsar, he said.

However, these hospitals were dumping the bio-medical waste locally. Showcause notices have been issued to all the defaulting hospitals under Section 5 of Environmental Protection Act, 1986, Pannu said.