| File Note: |
It is submitted that the HCF is a Govt. Community Health Center (CHC) having bed capacity of 30 beds and it has obtained authorization vide no. RO/FZR/BMW/2015-18/R- dated 30.11.2015 for 30 bed capacity, valid for a period up to 31.03.2018 under the Bio-Medical Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 through OCMMS.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board vide order no. 468 dated 21.08.2021 has decided that the authorization under the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 as amended in 2018 and consents to operate under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974/ Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 may be granted to all the bedded HCEs located in town and cities and outside by bifurcating the facilities where terminal STPs have been installed/yet to be installed up to 31.03.2022, subject to the following conditions:
i. HCEs will get effluent sample (combined liquid and domestic effluent) analysed from an approved lab of the Board by 31.01.2022.
ii. If the sample fails to achieve the prescribed standards as per Schedule-II of the BMW Rules, 2016 as amended in 2018 and 2019, HCE will install appropriate and adequate system to achieve the prescribed standards by 31.03.2022.
iii. These HCEs (except Govt. HCEs) will submit a bank guarantee, having validity up to 31.12.2022 to the Board as an assurance to submit analysis result of the sample and installation of appropriate and adequate system to achieve the prescribed standards in case sample fails to achieve the prescribed standards.
It is further submitted that as per the office order no. HQ-3/EPA/2022/393-408 dated 06.06.2022, CPCB has clarified as regards to compliance of wastewater discharge norms under Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 by the Healthcare Facilities and as per which bedded HCFs are required to comply with the standards prescribed for liquid waste under Schedule-II of the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. In case, wastewater is discharged into a public sewer connected to terminal sewage treatment plant, the bedded HCFs are required to meet general standards as notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Board vide office order no. 379 dt. 23.10.2023 has decided as under:
"that HCFs up to 30 bed capacity which are discharging their liquid waste into public sewer and operating within MC limits of towns, where terminal sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been installed, shall be granted consents to operate under the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981 as well as authorization by Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) without installation of individual ETPS, as an interim arrangement, subject to the condition that HCFs shall ensure to comply with the effluent standards as notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under Bio Medical Waste Management, Rules, 2016 as amended upto date and subsequent amendments if any."
Now, the HCF has applied for obtaining renewal authorization under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 through OCMMS with requisite documents for 30 beds. The details of the case are as under:-
• The HCF has submitted copy of an agreement signed with common facility of M/s Medwaste Solutions Pvt Ltd., Village Bidowal, Tehsil Gidderbaha dated 24.07.2023, authorized by the Board for bed capacity of 30, wherein MEM has under taken the liability of collection, transportation and treatment / disposal of Bio-Medical Waste generating from the HCF. The agreement is valid for a period upto 23.07.2026.
• The HCF has deposited BMW authorization fee of Rs. 10000/- vide UTR / Ref. No. SBIN124173745444 dated 21.06.2024 under the Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, which is adequate upto 31.12.2027.
• The HCF has submitted as undertaking through SMO, CHC, Kot Ise Khan regarding it has installed 30 beds.
• The HCF has submitted copy of undertaking regarding treatment of liquid waste generated within the premises of the CHC is being treated with 1-2% sodium hypochlorite solution at the point of liquid waste generation.
• The HCF has submitted copy of annual report.
To check compliance, the HCF was visited by officer of this office on 30.06.2024 and it was observed as under:-
• The hospital has installed 30 no. beds in its premises.
• The hospital has installed ETP of 15 KLD capacity for treatment of liquid waste and found not in operation due to minor quantity of waste water in the collection tank. Therefore, sample could not be collected.
• The hospital is segregating Bio medical Waste being generated by it category wise at the point wise of their generation as per color coding, collected in non- chlorinated puncture proof bags, which are placed in plastic containers in each ward. No bio medical waste was found mixing with Municipal Solid Waste.
• The hospital has provided shredders/cutters for shredding of used needles and same was found in working condition.
• The hospital has maintained the record of Bio-Medical Waste, being lifted by the CBMWTF.
• The hospital has maintained record register regarding training provided to the health workers.
• The HCF has provided common collection centre for storage of bio medical waste from where common Bio Medical Waste treatment facility is collecting bio medical daily after issuing receipts to the HCF.
• The hospital is treating liquid bio-waste generated from the lab and OT section with 1-2% hypochlorite solution. Effluent is being discharged into MC sewer.
• The hospital has provided common collection centre for storage of bio medical waste from where common Bio Medical Waste treatment facility is collecting bio medical daily after issuing receipts to the HCF.
• The hospital has digital temperature measurement device & digital B.P. measurement device.
Further, as per record file, no complaint is pending against the HCF.
Keeping in view of above, the HCF is complying with the provisions of the Bio-Medical waste Management Rules, 2016, it is therefore, recommended that renewal of authorization under the Bio-Medical Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 may be granted to the HCF for bed capacity of 30 for categories Yellow {(Chemical liquid Waste), (Human Anatomical Waste, Chemical Solid Waste, Microbiology, Biotechnology etc.)}, Red, White (Translucent), Blue of the rules for a short period up of 31.12.2027, subject to the suitable conditions along with specific condition that:
1. The authorization for management and handling of Bio-Medical Waste shall not be construed as a permission to operate the Health Care Facility in a non-designated area and the HCF shall be responsible for obtaining permission / clearances as required under the law from different departments.
2. The HCF shall get its effluent sample analyzed from the Board's lab within this period for further extension in the validity of authorization.
3. The HCF shall operate its ETP regularly and scientifically and shall maintain proper record of the effluent generated /treated.
4. The occupier of the Health care establishment shall take all precautionary steps to avoid leakage/spillage of Bio-Medical Waste from the storage area, the storage area shall be properly fenced/protected with caution sign boards.
5. The occupier of Health care establishment shall ensure that the Bio-Medical Waste is handled, only by qualified/trained personals in the field.
6. The authorization is subject to the general conditions imposed and also to such conditions as may be specified under the Rules time to time in force under the provisions of Environment (protection) Act, 1986.
7. The hospital will comply with the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
8. The person authorized shall not rent, lend, sell, transfer or otherwise transfer the Bio medical waste without obtaining prior permission of the prescribed authority.
9. Any unauthorized change in personal, equipment or working conditions as mentioned in the application by the person authorized shall constitute a breach of his authorization.
10. It is the duty of the authorized person to take permission of the prescribed authority to close down the facility and such other terms and conditions may be stipulated by the prescribed authority.
11. The HCF will apply for fresh authorization if it increases its bed capacity.
12. The HCF shall apply for obtaining Consent to operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 & the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 within one month.
13. The HCF shall treat liquid bio-waste generated with 1-2% hypochlorite solution.
|
