NEWS

Following High Court directive — Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), has beginning from today (Thursday) started inspection of hospitals, veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, pathological laboratories, nursing homes and blood banks to determine whether bio-medical waste generated is scientifically disposed off or not. The GSPCB today issued a general notice to medical institutes generating bio-medical waste that inspection would be
conducted from January 8 to examine whether appropriate facilities are made available by them for disposal of bio-medical waste. On January 6, High Court had issued directions to GSPCB to conduct fresh inspections to check whether bio-medical waste generated by medical institutes is disposed off as required under Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules and, shut down hospitals or clinics that did not co-operate. Moreover, GSPCB was also reprimanded for its inaction even as its counsel submitted that they had issued directions to district authorities to take necessary action. But Court was not satisfied and repeatedly asked, “what action it had taken against defaulting parties?” before issuing directions to GSPCB to conduct inspection.