The Times of India               15.05.2013

Panel to sensitize doctors on biomedical waste disposal

PUNE: A 28-member action committee of doctors has been formed to encourage medical practitioners to register for the common biomedical waste treatment facility at the Kailas crematorium.

Over 200 doctors associated with 14 different city-based associations met on Tuesday -- the last day of the 15-day drive started by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to register for the facility -- to form the action committee.

At present, very few clinics and dispensaries in Pune have subscribed to the facility for availing of scientific disposal of biomedical waste. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) started a drive on May 1 urging operators of clinics and hospitals to join the facility by May 15 or face stringent action. The PMC's efforts have so far received a lukewarm response with only 30 clinics responding till May 13.

"We have formed an action committee, which will soon meet civic health officials and put forth our demands, including door-to-door waste collection and affordable charges to avail of the treatment facility. The committee has also decided to sensitize doctors and mobilize them to join hands with the PMC," said Santaji Kadam, former president of general practitioners' association, Pune branch.

Over 6,000 clinics and 107 nursing homes/hospitals in the city are yet to comply. "Only 2,162 clinics send biomedical waste to the treatment facility which is located at Kailas crematorium, off Raja Bahadur Mill Road. The PMC has set a deadline of May 15 failing which stringent action will be taken under prevalent environment laws," said Kishore Pakhare, assistant medical officer of health and in-charge of biomedical waste management at the PMC.