KARACHI: EPA issues 15-day notice to health institutions
KARACHI, May 26: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-Sindh) taking a strong note of the indifference on part of local hospitals, blood banks
, clinics and pathological labs regarding proper disposal of various categories of waste generated by them, has extended a 15-day notice to reverse the trend or otherwise face legal action.
According to details, Muhammad Younas Dagha, Director General, EPA-Sindh through an Environmental Protection Order (EPO), under section 16 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 has directed the above-mentioned institutions, functioning across the province to, ensure that medical and pathological waste was adequately disposed of.
Reiterating absolute commitment on the part of the management of medical institutions to prevent sale, purchase and reuse of items such as used syringes, drips, catheters, needles and so forth, the DG EPA-Sindh took exception to the fact that these were being resold in the market causing a serious threat to public health.
It was said to had emerged as an established fact that reuse of syringes and needles caused hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV besides other blood borne infections, ultimately leading towards serious health and environmental consequences.
"This is in violation of sub-section 1 of section 16 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, thus authorising the agency to initiate legal action against violators of the law," the DG elaborated.
Elaborating the same, it was further maintained that in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section 2 of section 16 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, the DG EPA-Sindh asked the management of all categories of health care institutions, laboratories and blood banks to realise their responsibility and play their role in containing the menace with immediate effect.
EPA-Sindh further said that any party desiring to show cause against the implementation of the above order shall do so within a period of 15 days, either in writing or in person, in the office of Director General, EPA-Sindh, located at Plot No ST-2/1, Sector 23, Korangi Industrial Area.
In case no valid cause is presented before the DG EPA-Sindh, this order shall become absolute after the expiry of 15 day notice period, said the EPA-Sindh chief.
Meanwhile, Iqbal Nafees Khan, director EPA-Sindh, talking to APP, mentioned that while a few of the hospitals did have their own incinerators, yet they too were generally noticed not to operate them to their optimum under one or the other pretext.
The most serious aspect, he said was the fact that despite a clear offer by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) to all health care units, laboratories and blood banks to utilise its incinerators, and for which a transport arrangement on no-profit-no-loss had been arranged, the facility was still not being availed by the large majority.
"This, he said is absolutely unbearable and stringent action is urgently required in the larger interest of quality public health. Nafees reminded that not only were disposable items being re-sold unchecked, but pathological waste could be witnessed around many of such institutions with stray animals having easy access to the same.
To a query, he said, EPA-Sindh in close co-ordination with CDGK was all set to take action and prevent any further degradation of the environment in the very context. Although, EPA-Sindh had an acute dearth of staffers, it could with the help of the field workers of CDGK, bring a meaningful change, he said. - APP
