Taking grave cognizance of reports regarding violation of BMW (Bio Medical Waste Management) rules 2016, the Health & Family Welfare Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu has issued the stern instructions to government as well as private health care facilities for compliance of said Rules. Disclosing this here, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that bio medical waste is one of potential threat to the mankind and environment likewise stubble burning, industrial waste, sewage and other pollutions so that it must be disposed off safely and scientifically as per norms. He also said that it is being observed that many of the healthcare facilities are not disposing off their bio medical waste scientifically which is leading to increase in transmit infections, particularly HIV, Hepatitis B & C and Tetanus, to the people who handle it or come in contact with it. Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu further said that Captain led Punjab Government is committed to provide the safe and disease-less environment in the State and several initiatives had been taken in this regard. He said that continuous trainings regarding the bio waste management are being given by the health department on District and block level. He said that he has also directed the Civil Surgeons to ensure proper compliance of parameters in collaboration with the Punjab Pollution Board.
The Minister said that the all hospitals covered under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 must obtain the consent to operate from Punjab Pollution Control Board under said Acts. He said that following the laid norms, record of bio medical waste must be kept in proper manners by each healthcare facility which can be audited any time by state as well as district level inspection teams. He said that also said non compliance would be not spared at any cost and stern action would be taken against erring officers and responsible.Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu clarified that Bio-medical waste means “any solid and/or liquid waste including its container and any intermediate product, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biological or in health camps such as human anatomical waste like tissues, organs and body parts, waste sharps like hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpels and broken glass, discarded medicines, blood bags, rubber gloves, all used medical items and cytotoxic drugs etc. must be disposed of scientifically as per BMW Rules.