The Jharkhand health department is tightening the screws on biomedical waste, mandating disposal within 48 hours to avert health hazards. This bold move comes amid rising concerns over improper waste handling in hospitals and clinics.
Friday’s crucial meeting, led by Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh, birthed a robust new policy framework. Key upgrades include fortified barcode and GPS tracking to monitor waste from generation to destruction.
Strict enforcement of the 48-hour storage cap tops the agenda, curbing the spread of infections and environmental contamination. Singh warned that negligence endangers lives and ecosystems, leaving no room for complacency.
The guidelines demand a seamless, traceable process: prompt pickup, treatment at authorized plants, and verified disposal. With five operational common treatment facilities statewide, capacity will be optimized under the new regime.
Penalties are draconian—fines, compensation levies, and registration revocations for offenders. Even hard-to-reach regions must implement scientifically approved deep burial techniques.
As implementation rolls out, expect a paradigm shift in bio-medical waste management, fostering accountability and safety across Jharkhand’s healthcare sector.
