CCP implements GIM pupils' suggestions

PANAJI: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has implemented suggestions by management students on its management of biomedical waste generated in the capital city. The project report by students from the Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Ribandar, has also, through a survey, commented that the CCP's new biomedical waste disposal system takes care of most of the medical waste generated by hospitals and clinics in Panaji.
The system has been put together by CCP's waste management consultant Clinton Vaz, and assistant engineer Sachin Ambe.
GIM students Anish Agarwal, Pratik Lad, Srikanth B and Urja Desai conducted a survey in different hospitals and clinics in Panaji and surrounding areas including Dona Paula. `It was found during the survey that 90% of the hospitals and clinics surveyed already had the colour coded system in place which indicated that the CCP had been successful in spreading awareness about this system,' the report stated.
`Around 77% of the total sample of hospitals and clinics surveyed followed proper disinfection procedures of sharps and 97% of the respondents felt that the present waste disposal system is far more effective than the previous system,' the report added.
`Under the new system of waste disposal there was emphasis on waste segregation at source. Waste segregation is done by using colour coded bins and bags, which were provided by a third party vendor and had a provision to fill the clinic's name on the bag. This would help the CCP identify non compliant clinics in a very easy manner,' the report states.
The GIM report further lists the advantages and disadvantages of the new system. The advantages noted are: `Disposal of hazardous bio medical waste in a correct manner, reduced risk of spread of disease due to bio-medical hazardous waste, easier to dispose properly segregated waste, higher accountability of hospital and clinics, cost saving due to proper segregation of contaminated and non-contaminated waste'.
The disadvantages that were noted are: `Higher cost to hospitals and clinics that generate a lower quantity of waste. Bins and bags are available in only one size, and colour coded bags are not available in an ample amount'.
The report also states that the survey observed that some hospitals such as `Campal Clinic are dumping contaminated waste in open bins'.
In their recommendations to the CCP, the GIM students have said that the CCP should implement a tariff structure based on the quantity of waste generated; strict penalties for non-compliance; a new route map for waste collection for cutting down on unneccessary wastage of fuel; different sized bags as opposed to the current uniform sized ones and, safety of workers wherein use of masks, gloves and an apron should be made compulsory.
When contacted Vaz, who has been appointed as the CCP's associate officer said that some of the recommendations have been accepted and implemented. .