Closure warning for 1,800 health centres in Bihar over medical waste-disposal lapses

“If these 1,800 health care centres fail to adhere to the norms pertaining to scientific storage, transportation and treatment of medical waste at CBWTF within 15 days, the BSPCB will order their closure,” says chairman.

The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) said on November 8 that it was issuing notices to 1,800 healthcare centres in the State, which have failed to comply with the norms laid down for bio-medical waste disposal, warning them of closure.

Ashok Kumar Ghosh, the chairman of the BSPCB, said these centres, in six districts of the State, were being served a "proposed closure direction" with a 15-day window to ensure abidance of the rules set for the disposal.

"If these 1,800 health care facilities or centres fail to adhere to the norms pertaining to scientific storage, transportation and treatment of medical waste at Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTF) in the State within 15 days, the BSPCB will order their closure.

"The Board will also request the power distribution companies to cut off electricity supply to these healthcare units under such circumstances," Mr. Ghosh told PTI.

Patna has the maximum number of erring health care units, he said, adding that other districts where rules were being flouted are Bhojpur, Buxar, Nalanda, Rohtas and Kaimur.

“The Board was forced to take this “harsh step” as the medical centres, despite repeated reminders, did not make amends,” Mr. Ghosh stated.