Ranchi, April 10: The Jharkhand government has adopted a stringent stance on the disposal of biomedical waste. The Health Department has made it clear that untreated biomedical waste cannot be stored for more than 48 hours under any circumstances.
A high-level meeting chaired by Ajay Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare, took place on Friday to formulate new comprehensive guidelines for biomedical waste disposal in the state. The new system will enhance monitoring through barcoding and GPS tracking to ensure oversight at every stage.
Emphasis has been placed on strictly enforcing the 48-hour deadline to minimize the risks of infection and pollution. During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary stated that negligence in biomedical waste management will no longer be tolerated, as it directly impacts environmental and public health.
He directed that the entire process, from waste collection to final disposal, be made scientific and transparent. Officials reported that currently, five common biomedical waste treatment facilities operate in the state, where waste is safely disposed of.
However, with the implementation of the new guidelines, this system will be made even more effective. Strict actions will be taken against hospitals and health institutions that violate the rules, including environmental compensation fines and the potential cancellation of the institution’s registration.
Additionally, instructions have been given to ensure compliance with scientific methods like ‘deep burial’ for biomedical waste disposal in remote areas of the state. Officials believe that the new guidelines will make biomedical waste management in Jharkhand more effective, accountable, and safe.
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