Updated on December 16, 2024 04:02:40 PM
Sikkim is one of the small but progressive states in the north-eastern part of India and has been quite vigilant about the problems associated with management of biomedical wastes, especially due to geographical barriers and since this state has a very sensitive biosystem. With the growth of the healthcare sector of Sikkim by setting up different hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities, it has become more important to effectively and sustainably manage biomedical waste. Managing, sorting, and disposing of medical waste is crucial in order to avoid infections and contamination of public health as well as environmental degradation.
The state follows the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, which are also first of their kind regulatory provisions that seek to ensure that the healthcare industry deals with waste in the right and proper manner and within recommended guidelines. But because of the problems arising out of remote locations and difficult topography Sikkim has embarked on several measures towards better management of waste, namely construction of specialized treatment facilities, awareness among medical professionals and other measures for the proper disposal of waste. These efforts, coupled with partnership with the government and other environmental agencies epitomize Sikkim in endeavoring itself towards the cause of standardization of biomedical waste management, safety of its citizens, and conservation of its stupendous biogeographic facade.
Biomedical waste (BMW) refers to all kinds of waste produced in the diagnosis or treatment of diseases affecting human beings or animals, in the process of vaccination, or in conducting research activities. This waste is pathogenic and toxic; it may cause harm to the health of those who will come into contact with it in case it is not well disposed of. These include used syringes, needles, bandages, human tissues, organs, body fluids, pharmaceutical products, chemicals, and discarded medical equipment.
This biomedical waste, if not disposed of properly, can cause the spread of diseases, pollute water and soil resources, and also expose people to hazardous chemicals. Due to such risks associated with biomedical wastes, standards and protocols have been followed for handling and disposal of these wastes, including segregation, collection, storage, transportation, and disposal. For example, in India, the BioMedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 have given clear guidelines to the healthcare facility to follow the biomedical waste management and disposal system.
Biomedical waste management requires segregation at the source, using containers of different colors depending on the waste, and then disposal through incineration. autoclaving, or microwaving depending on the waste in question. Applied management not only involves safeguarding people's health but also preserving the environment, thus making the environment safer and cleaner.
The following are the benefits of proper biomedical waste management, which is considered essential:
As per the provisions of the applicable law, it is mandatory that no person can collect, store, treat, dispose of, or handle Biomedical waste in any form without prior written permission from the PCC.
The first step in obtaining biomedical waste management authorization is to gather all the necessary documents. These include a detailed plan of layout of the facility, documents of proof of ownership or lease, a list of the equipment used in waste management, and others.
For the production of biomedical waste, the occupier must fill out Form II as per the Biomedical Waste Rules along with the prescribed processing fees in the form of a demand draft to the Member Secretary of the concerned Pollution Control Committee (PCC) of the state before the start of any work.
The PCC does the field-level check and review of the application, and then the biomedical waste authorization is issued.
PCC provides biomedical waste authorization to bedded HCFs and non-bedded facilities after satisfying the requirement of the legislation.
The documents required for obtaining biomedical waste authorization typically include:
| SI. No. | Type | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | STNM Hospital | 10,000.00 |
| 2. | Private Hospitals above 300 beds/Medical college | 25,000.00 |
| 3. | Private Nursing Homes/Hospitals | 15,000.00 |
| 4. | NHPC/Pvt. Hydro Powers Developers Hospitals | 5,000.00 |
| 5. | Government District Hospitals | 2,000.00 |
| 6. | Government Public Health Centre (PHC) | 500.00 |
| 7. | Dental Clinics | 1,000.00 |
| 8. | Private Clinics | 1,000.00 |
| 9. | Pathological Labs
|
|
| 10 | Authorization for operation of common Biomedical waste treatment facility | - |
| 11 | Veterinary Clinics (Govt. & Private) | - |
Note: Professional Fees to obtain Biomedical Waste Management Authorization in ₹25,000 (only with Professional Utilities)
Biomedical waste management authorization in India is contentious based on the categorization of the healthcare facility (HCF) and bedded or non-bedded status:
The authorization to be made for the HCF is lost if there are any alterations in the activities of the HCF. The prescribed authority has 90 days to counter the application, and in the absence of such a response, the authorization is deemed to have been granted.
The management of Biomedical wastes in Sikkim has its importance in the overall protection of the health of the public as well as the environment from the adverse impacts of the hazardous pollutants. This means that the state has diligently followed the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 as a way of exercising pressure on healthcare facilities to follow all the laid-down protocols when it comes to the disposal of waste. This will help the healthcare providers to avoid hazards besides avoiding pollution as well as adhere to the set laws of the land. The structured process supplemented well with required documents such as fee charges and validity terms shows the seriousness of Sikkim in enhancing the best practices in waste management for the sustainable development of innovative healthcare facilities without disturbing the natural ecological system of the state.
At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.
As Sikkim has a sensitive environmental background and has few healthcare centers in distant areas, proper handling of biomedical waste is an important aim to avoid pollution of the environment, disease transmission and injury to the biodiversity of the region.
They are incineration, autoclaving, and microwaving among other techniques that are used to sanitize the instruments. Incidere is used for, for instance, the human tissues, while autoclaving and microwaving are suited for infectious/non-hazard waste.
Yes, under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, the non-compliant facilities are penalized through fines, penalties, and legal actions such as suspension of operations licenses.
Nonetheless, due to the geographical barriers, Sikkim has specialized treatment units and advocates for partnership grounds between the health facilities and government departments for safe collection and disposal of biomedical waste, including the remoteness of Sikkim.
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