ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has informed the health ministry that a mechanism has been formulated to avoid sale of hospital waste in future.

On Feb 27, a company hired by the Pims administration to incinerate hospital waste on its premises but it was found involved in the sale of the infectious material such as discarded syringes and blood bags, in cahoots with hospital employees.

On March 1, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the sale of the infectious waste and ordered an independent inquiry.

Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel also grilled the hospital management and directed to place a mechanism to avoid such blunders in future.

The Pims management, in a written brief, has informed the ministry that the waste generated by hospital was a specialised form of waste which posed threat to health care workers, patients, visitors, general public and environment.

“Responsible handling of waste is the key to prevent such threats. The threats are not limited to pathogenic micro-organisms but also include cytotoxic and radioactive materials.

The Pims management will ensure that the hospital waste management plan will be maintained and updated as a written document and will conform to the national and international guidelines for hospital waste management,” Pims stated.

“Pims, being a responsible public sector organisation, has re-notified hospital waste management committee. The committee is constituted in compliance with the hospital waste management rules 2005 in the light of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997. Pims has also re-notified an Infection Prevention and Control Committee and the activities of Infection Prevention and Control Programme of Pims are linked with waste management plan of the hospital,” it stated.

“The committee has been notified, headed by the Executive Director (ED) and the duties and responsibilities of individual members of the committee have been communicated in writing to the members. Waste management officer has been notified, who will perform duties as secretary for the said committee. The committee shall convene its meetings twice monthly and the presence of one third members will be the quorum of the meetings. All proceedings of the committee will be recorded as minutes and the ED will ensure implementation of the decisions of the committee,” it stated.

“Special cleanliness drive during public holidays has been arranged considering limited visitors of the hospital and the whole Islamabad Hospital, Cardiac Center and Children Hospital has been thoroughly washed as a special assignment,” it stated.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2023