Medical waste in city gets an image makeover

KOCHI: At a time when increasing medical waste is posing a major environmental concern, an organisation has come forward to deal with the issue.

Image, a branch of the Indian Medical Association, is engaged in collecting and disposing of hospital waste from major hospitals in the city.

The medical waste includes used needles and syringes along with theatre waste. Contaminated and toxic materials are collected separately and are segregated.

"We pay Image a certain amount for disposing of theatre waste," Cherian M T, administrator of Welcare Hospital, said. "Due to instructions from the government all sharps (needles and syringes) are dismantled and disinfected before sending it to Image," says Rosamma J, Nursing Superintendent of the Ernakulam General Hospital.

Some hospitals have biogas plants where they treat food waste and other non-contaminated biodegradable matter.

"A gas connection is provided from the biogas plant to the kitchen for minor requirements. Apart from this, 40 bulbs also run on the energy from this plant," Rosamma said.

Some other hospitals have affluent treatment plants to purify liquid waste produced. "All liquid waste undergoes treatment in the affluent water treatment plant before it goes out," Sasikumar, General Manager of the Ernakulam Medical Centre, said.

Use of plastic bags is being brought down in many hospitals. At Welcare Hospital, use of plastics for the purpose of covering medicines is being abolished. In Ernakulam General Hospital use of plastic bags is prohibited. Even food packets from canteens are plastic-free.

Many hospitals are also taking measures to prevent pollution. Some hospitals have pollution control certification from the National Board of Inspection Code (NIBC).