HYDERABAD: Out of the 5,255 healthcare establishments (HCE) operational in the State, some 50 have so far not sought the mandatory authorisation with regard to bio-medical waste management and the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board is planning to launch prosecution against them.

Following the High Court orders on August 28 giving two weeks time to the defaulting hospitals and health centres, the PCB intends going after these establishments soon.

"We will launch prosecution under provisions which call for imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or a fine of Rs.1 lakh or both," PCB Senior Environmental Engineer T. Rajender Reddy told presspersons here on Saturday.

Closure orders

In addition to prosecution, the defaulting HCEs /hospitals were informed that closure orders would be issued under provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes and others which generate bio-medical waste are expected to handle the same without any adverse effect on human health and environment. According to rules, these centres should either set-up the requisite bio-medical waste facility or have it sent to a common waste treatment facility.

"Tie-up arrangements with ten common treatment facilities have been made to manage the bio-medical waste generated in the State," Mr. Reddy said.

Bed strength

The city and neighbouring Ranga Reddy together boast of around 870 private hospitals and 16 Government and autonomous health institutions. The total bed strength offered by these centres was approximately 20,000 and when occupied, an estimated 0.20 kg to 0.30 kg of waste is generated per bed per day.

While all Government hospitals (Teaching) have obtained authorisation, one centre functioning under APVVP had remained a defaulter. About 1,620 PHCs were operational in the State and since most of them have bed strength of six, they were not treated as defaulters. "However, the Director of Health has been addressed to issue necessary instructions to all the PHCs to apply for authorisation within one month," Mr.Reddy said.

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