Experts draw plan for biomedical waste

PANAJI: A roadmap for effectively implementing the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, by setting up a common waste treatment facility and a three-tier system was drawn up to improve the treatment and disposal mechanism at Goa medical college (GMC), Bambolim, on Friday.
The three-tier application system envisages involvement of private clinics and dispensaries at primary level, district hospitals at secondary level and Goa medical college and hospital at the top level.
Dr R Sabesh and U T Arasu, both environment education officers from CPRE environmental education centre, Chennai, Joseph de Souza, chief scientist, science and technology department, Dr Savio Rodriques, professor and head of microbiology were the resource experts for the event. The Union ministry of enviornment and forests also participated.
Around 70 doctors, including Pradip Naik, Savita Chandra and Silvano Dias Sapeco participated in the deliberations. The GMC receives about 560 kg of biomedical waste from various hospitals and clinics per day. As per biomedical waste management rules, every hospital exceeding a certain bed limit should have a treatment facility. But as 1,000 kg per day is required for a common facility, which is not generated in Goa, the plant has not been set up. Health minister Laxmikant Parsekar and forest minister Alina Saldana were also present.