THIS is apropos the report (Nov 5) about the non-availability of incinerator at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. It is a pity that hospital waste is sent to Attock Oil Refinery for its disposal in incinerators. It also appears that no hospital is equipped with incinerators in the capital as a result of which the waste from most of these hospitals is burnt in the open, causing environmental hazards.

I hope the health would personally visit all major hospitals in Islamabad and sanction incinerators.

Similarly, all provincial governments must ensure that each hospital is equipped with one incinerator at least. There is also a dire need of incinerators to dispose of polythene bags, which are also required to be burnt at 800 degrees Celsius. No doubt, each incinerator costs Rs 145m, but this essential requirement cannot be compromised. One can suggest that incinerators must be produced locally to ensure their cheap availability.

R. Akbar

Wah Cantt

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2018