Report on waste management by health care facilities in Amritsar, Punjab, 24/11/2020
Joint Committee report in compliance to the National Green Tribunal order September 3, 2020 to an application filed by Ishant Khanna regarding violation of environmental norms committed by M/s Uppal Neuro Hospital, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar. The Joint Committee visited the hospital on November 2, 2020.
The report said that M/s Uppal Neuro Hospital has obtained all the permissions / consents from the State Pollution Control Board and other concerned agencies. M/s Uppal Neuro Hospital has implemented various guidelines prescribed under Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended from time to time. The health care facility (HCF) hds signed agreement with M/s Amritsar Envirocare Systems with validity upto March 31, 2025 and the waste generated was being sent to the disposal facility.
Sewage treatment plant (STP) has been installed by the health care facility and is operational. Samples were also drawn to verify the compliance of the prescribed norms. As per results of the analysis received from the Punjab State Pollution Control Board (PPCB) laboratory, STP was found to be complying with the prescribed norms.
The report also contained information on the compliance status of health care facilities in district Amritsar, Punjab. There are a total 862 health care facilities (HCFs) in the area of district Amritsar. Out of the total 862 HCFs, 367 HCFs are bedded hospitals and the remaining 495 HCFs are non –bedded health care facilities.
Around 853 HCFs have obtained authorization under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 at least once in lifetime and remaining 9 HCFs have not obtained the authorization from the Punjab State Pollution Control Board under said rules. Action against 9 HCFs is under process. Out of 367 bedded hospitals, 55 bedded hospitals have installed effluent treatment plants (ETP). The remaining 312 bedded hospitals are required to install ETP by December 31, 2020.