Ranchi — The Jharkhand government has decided to take strict action against healthcare facilities that store untreated bio-medical waste for more than 48 hours, stressing that such negligence will not be tolerated.
At a high-level review meeting on Friday, chaired by Ajay Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, officials agreed to introduce a comprehensive new framework to strengthen bio-medical waste management across the state.
As part of the proposed measures, the government plans to further tighten the existing barcoding and GPS-based tracking systems to ensure complete monitoring of waste from collection to final disposal. Special emphasis will be placed on strictly enforcing the 48-hour disposal rule to minimise risks of infection and environmental damage.
Singh made it clear that any lapse in handling bio-medical waste would invite strict consequences, highlighting its serious impact on public health and the environment. He instructed officials to ensure that the entire process is carried out in a scientific and transparent manner.
During the meeting, it was noted that five Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities are currently operational in Jharkhand and are managing waste disposal safely. The upcoming guidelines are expected to further enhance efficiency and accountability in the system.
Authorities also warned that hospitals and healthcare institutions violating the norms could face penalties, including environmental fines and even cancellation of registration.
For remote and hard-to-reach areas, officials have been directed to adopt scientific disposal methods such as deep burial to ensure safe handling of waste.
Officials expressed confidence that the new framework will make Jharkhand’s bio-medical waste management system more robust, transparent, and reliable.
Bio-medical waste management involves the proper segregation, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of waste generated during medical diagnosis, treatment, or immunisation of humans and animals.
With inputs from IANS