10 Questions
Dr R.P. Srivastav, Medical Council of India (MCI) governing body member, Jharkhand, on biomedical waste management and where the state has gone wrong
TT: How is Jharkhand managing its biomedical waste?
RPS: Bio-waste management does not happen in Jharkhand. Whatever is happening is eyewash
Who is at fault, the state government or medical entities?
First, the fault is of those who generate biomedical waste, followed by the state pollution control watchdog
As a citizen, are you satisfied with the state pollution board’s functioning?
No, not at all. They don’t have the zeal to work
Infrastructure creation is a long-term mission. How can we tackle the problem of biomedical waste till then?
It is not a big deal at all. The moment a commitment is made to control and contain the problem, it can be done
Doesn’t the Medical Council of India (MCI) have any role to play?
No. The MCI has no role to play
Is there any agency in Jharkhand that is handling biomedical waste properly?
I have travelled a lot throughout the state, but I am sorry to say no. No one follows the rule
What kind of arrangements should be there for biomedical waste management?
First of all, facilities should exist at subdivisional level. Second, it should be run on no-profit, no-loss basis. The government should install the units and the hospitals generating the waste, should run them
Should an extra chapter on biomedical waste management be added to the MBBS course?
That will be a brilliant idea. Some punitive measures should also be flagged off and taught
Biomedical waste is not only generated by health centres. It is generated by an individual too. Who will look after that?
We need thorough awareness generating programmes and advertisements for that
What can be done at a broader level?
We have such a huge programme Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. All we need is to bring biomedical waste management under it strictly.
As told to Chhandosree