Gurugram: Many healthcare facilities in the city, including diagnostic laboratories and private clinics, are functioning without mandatory authorisation for handling biomedical waste, according to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).
Though the board had issued a notice earlier this month to around 600 healthcare facilities directing them to apply from authorisation from HSPCB, many are yet to comply.
The board is planning to impose a penalty of Rs 5,000 on defaulters if they don’t comply by March 1, 2020.
HSPCB also plans to conduct a camp for such medical units to apply for authorisation at Civil hospital on February 29.
Regional officer Kuldeep Singh said the board has been organising camps regularly to facilitate the units.
“We organised three such camps this month for medical units. We are encouraging all units to apply for the authorisation in the next camp.
We will impose penalty on clinics and laboratories if they are found violating norms,” said Singh.
Also read: No separate new drug approval required if… : DCGI
This move comes in a bid to avoid mixing of hazardous biomedical waste with the municipal waste, which is against the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
According to HSPCB data, Gurugram generates around 5,000kg of hazardous biomedical waste daily.
Singh said a reminder notice has been sent to the Indian Medical Association and other associations of heathcare providers regarding the matter.
“We will carry out regular screenings of fresh as well as legacy waste around diagnostic centres. Many medical units do not have a plan for disposal of their waste and dumped it at municipal waste collection sites.
If anyone is found violating the rules, they will be fined,” he added.
