Only last month there was a news of over a crore PPE kits and two crore N95 masks being given to states by the Central Government. (Read this news : http://bharatmahan.in/positive-news/more-2-cr-n95-masks-1-cr-ppes-distributed-free-cost-central). It is also reported that we are making three lakh PPE kits and the same number of N95 masks every day. Add to this the numbers that are imported and also being made in the unorganised sector that are not accounted for.
It is good that we have become 'atmanirbhar' in these two products. We have even started exporting them.
However, it seems we have not given much attention to the disposal of this bio-medical waste which is so hazardous.
As it is, our records in the disposal of bio-medical waste has nothing to boast about. Now, with the added burden of PPE kits and masks, amidst the COVID_19 crisis, the concerned departments have to immediately swing into super-active mode. All must appreciate the danger we are facing. Number of Covid positive cases are rising every day at great speed. We have been improving in the facilities of its treatment with hundreds of hospitals now taking care. Even testing facilities have shown a dramatic increase. All this has led to more use of PPE kits and masks.
Only two days back it was reported in a Mumbai newspaper how this waste is piling up in hospitals. According to this report, in this city alone, there is an increase of bio-medical waste to the tune of ten thousand kgs a day. Similar is the case all over the country.
Who knows, among the thousands of new positive Covid cases detected daily, some would have been affected by this waste.
The Health Ministry, Environment Ministry and the Prime MInister's Office need a lot to do and address this issue on war footing. Even Niti Aayog could step in. Our IITs, ICMR and the like are developing new techniques to treat and test but they should also look into the aspect of bio-medical waste disposal.
To make 'SwasthaBharat' a reality let us start taking action now.
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