Question : DISPOSAL OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE

(a) whether the Government has put in place any mechanism to ensure proper implementation of Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the complaints received by the Government with regard to violation of the aforesaid Rules along with the action taken against the erring hospitals during each of the last three years and current year; and

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to monitor the disposal of biomedical waste in the prescribed manner?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) to (d):Monitoring of implementation of Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 1998 amended in 2003 is done by State Pollution Control Board and Pollution Control Committee in Union Territory (UT). As far as three Central Government Hospitals located in Delhi i.e. Dr. Ram Manohar Lal Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Harding Medical College & Associated Hospitals, are concerned, there is a Bio-Medical Waste Management Department headed by a Senior Medical Officer. The Bio-Medical Waste generated by different department/wards is carried to the central collection point by designated staff as per biomedical waste management and handling rule 1998.

These hospitals are following the instructions issued by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). Dr. RML Hospital and LHMC, received the references from DPCC pointing out certain deficiencies and these hospitals have sent their replies to DPCC.