Medical clinics have to be authorised by KSPCB

BANGALORE: Working as per the orders of Lok Adalat, to ensure that a proper system for scientific disposal of bio-medical waste in the state is worked out, within a stipulated time-frame, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has now made it mandatory for all medical clinics in the state to obtain authorisation from the KSPCB. After analysing the sources of bio-medical waste, KSPCB has found that  besides the hospitals, medical clinics are also a major contributor of bio-medical waste. “The Board has identified 14,500 small and big private medical clinics in the state. Many of these clinics dispose syringes, medicine containers and used cottons in a haphazard manner. All these  clinics, and if anyone is planning to come up with a new clinic, has to first get permission from the KSPCB,” said A S Sadashiviah, Chairman, KSPCB.According to the two  identified biomedical waste recyclers in the state — Marradi and Ramky, only 696 units send bio-medical waste for recycling.  The board has to furnish details about tracking methods and ways and means to control bio-medical waste before the Lok Adalat on September 30. “Though the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, does not prescribe that the clinics have to get the authority from the Pollution Control Boards, but we are going beyond the rules to ensure that in all respect we put a check,” Sadashiviah said.Further speaking to Sunday Express, Sadashiviah said, “Earlier, it was fixed that only clinics, which receives above 1,000 patients per month, will have to get themselves registered with the KSPCB, but now we have made it mandatory for all small and big medical clinics to get authorisation from the KSPCB, besides registering with other regulatory authorities.”Meanwhile KSPCB had called for a review meeting on Saturday. Director of Health and Family Welfare, BBMP Health Officer, AYUSH Department officials and representatives from the bio-medical processing units attended the meeting.