FROM PAPER TO PRACTICE: BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN INDIA

Introduction: India has notified the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 (BMWM Rules, 2016) for the proper handling and management of Biomedical waste (BMW) and specifies that every healthcare facility shall take all necessary steps to ensure that BMW is handled scientifically without causing any adverse effect on human and environmental health. The new rules established by Government of India, are meant to contain environmental pollution and achieve the goal of clean and green environment. The major steps involved are proper segregation, transportation, and scientific disposal and treatment methods of BMW besides regular monitoring. Therefore, proper protocols should be in place for implementation of the BMWM rules, 2016. Objective: This study has been undertaken to study the biomedical waste management process, practices and disposal chain adopted in our tertiary care hospital with regard to the BMWM rules 2016. Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional institutional based retrospective study to assess the implementation of BMWM rules-2016 by the occupier. The duties of the occupier as stated under Section 4(a-t) in the BMWM rules 2016 were grouped into six process areas 1.Regulatory compliances 2. Hospital Biomedical Waste management which included i) Waste segregation ii) Pre-treatment of laboratory and highly infectious waste, iii) Intra-mural transport, iv) Temporary storage, 3. Trainings on BMWM, 4. Immunizations, 5. Occupational safety, and 6. Record maintenance. Conclusion: BMWM rules 2016 envisages regulating the disposal of various categories of BMW so as to ensure safety of the human life and the environment. We live in an evolving era and greater research into eco-friendly sustainable technologies is critical to ensure the fundamental right to live in a clean and safe environment.