It’s a really sad and serious matter “Hospital waste posing health hazard” (THT, Jan. 31, Page 3). It’s a matter of concern for everyone. The wastes produced by the hospitals are more dangerous than any other type of waste produced by the other sectors of the country.

The used syringe and the blood sachets and gloves should be dumped in safe places so that contamination of water bodies and the land is minimised. In fact, if the hospital waste is dumped like any other type of garbage, there is a higher possibility of fatal diseases like Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS spreading. When hospitals should have been more alert to the disposal of their waste, they are found to be most negligent. They are the ones whom we trust and go there for treatment, and if they themselves commit such criminal acts then, where should we go to get medical treatment? The Health Ministry and the municipal authorities should regularly keep on investigating such issues, and take on the spot action to punish the offending hospitals. This is important as it concerns the health of the city dwellers. On this there can be no liberal policy and the rules must be implemented without any excuse.

By: Moin Uddin, Ghattekulo, Kathmandu

Source: The Himalayan Times, February 2, 2012