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Dangerous hospital wastes
2/8/2006
NEARLY 200 tons of medical wastes are produced in Dhaka city daily that include used bandages and needles and also human tissues removed in operations, discs used in culturing bacteria, etc. Needless to say, all of these wastes can be extremely hazardous for human health if not disposed off in the right manner. The appropriate practice for the disposal of these dangerous wastes would be to burn them in incinerators without creating air pollution.
Your esteemed daily deserves our thanks for publishing several letters on this issue of public importance. Yet, only a few hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres are using incinerators or care to maintain them in utter disregard to the pressing need to contain the hazards.
Many hospitals and clinics dump their medical wastes most irresponsibly in the roadside dustbins or on the open roads. These wastes can easily infect passers by or residents of the locality.
There is a pressing need to take immediate steps for the proper disposal of medical wastes. The rule in this regard should require medical establishments compulsorily to acquire and use incinerators.
Will the Ministry of Healthcare to issue instructions on the matter on an urgent basis in poor discharge of one its important functions.
Sujat Ali Bhuiyan
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan
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