UPDATE

Toxics Link and HCWH jointly initiated the project “Hubli-Dharwad Sustainable Healthcare Waste Management” in eight HDMC Hospitals of Hubli &Dharwad cities during the year 2007-08, under the grant support of Deshpande foundation. The objectives of the program are as follows.

• Conduct trainings for HDMC staff, medical professionals, hospital workers and NGOs on sustainable healthcare waste management and mercury substitution


• Based on trainings and capacity building HDMC will develop core team to implement appropriate health care waste management practice in three hospitals under its jurisdiction, as well as some primary health care facilities.


• Via the project activities, foster an environment whereby private medical facilities in Hubli-Dharwad, KIM’s hospital, as well as the central health care waste management facility all move toward healthier, more environmentally sustainable practices.


• Devise and implement a system for monitoring, evaluation and feedback of health care waste management practices.


• Build capacity in Hubli-Dharwad for ongoing implentation of activities beyond the life of the project.


• To develop publicity material and a tool kit containing high quality multimedia education material in English and Kannada.

The project was started with KAP (Knowledge, Attitude & Practices) survey to understand the baseline situation of staff in understanding the biomedical waste management and Mercury devices. Based on the output of the survey , series of trainings conducted for all staffs in eight Hospitals. Separate training was organized for Doctors on Non Mercury devices with the help of Delhi and Hubli team.
Later four model wards were established one in each for selected four Hospital. At the end of the year 2009-10, 20 digital thermometer and 34 Aneroid B.P. Apparatus distributed to the following eight Hospitals depending on their requirement.

• General Hospital, Chittaguppi in Hubli city.


• Alopathic Hospital, Navanagar in Hubli.


• Dispensary , Ganeshpeti in Hubli city


• Dispensary , Mydar Oni in Hubli city


• Dispensary, Toravigalli in Hubli city.


• Maternity Hospital in Old Hubli.


• Maternity Hospital in Dharwad


• Maternity Hospital at Kamanakatti in Dharwad.

Later the project team regularly monitored the usage of these devices and also for getting the feedback of the Health care staff. Mean while, the project team was facilitating with all Health care staff of eight Hospital and CMO to work out budget requirement for setting up of Model Hospital. The project team facilitated with Commissioner to get the approval of budget and procurement of Material. Simultaneously, the team was perusing continuously with CMO and Commissioner to bring about a Mercury Policy. Publicity was given in the local TV Channel and News paper & Press conference on advantages of non mercury devices and adoption of devices in HDMC Hospital. To make it official, project team convinced CMO to issue a circular to all Hospitals of HDMC. The whole process took more than six month.

Original Circular issued by CMO to Hospitals of HDMC





Circular issued by CMO to Hospitals of HDMC (Translation)