Only one GH in state treat toxic liquid waste before disposal

While liquid wastes from hospitals include fluids released from labs, blood banks and operation theatres — all of which are contagious and require treatment — hospitals in the state have also failed treat waste released from their toilets which is also highly toxic.

Jawahar Shanmugam, an activist who has been fighting for this case for two years, said, “Liquid waste from hospitals contain micro-organisms, which if let out into the common sewer system without any form of treatment, could contaminate the entire ecosystem.”

Also, no attention is paid to cleaning the water used in the hospital, water used to wash dishes used by the patients, waste from the patients, said Shanmugam.

“In the revised Biomedical Waste Management Rules, it states that liquid waste includes that which is generated due to use of chemicals in production of biological and used or discarded disinfectants, aspirated body fluids, liquid from laboratories and floor washings etc. Why then don’t hospitals look at toilet waste as also equally toxic and in need of treatment,” Shanmugam said.

He also said that not treating liquid waste within the hospital is a clear violation to Schedule 1 (f) of the revised rules of 2016, which states that ‘Medical Waste needs to be pre-treated at the point of generation, before being disposed of,’ hospitals have been collecting the liquid waste in

collection pits, before pumping it out into the Metro Water’s sewer line.

A source from the biggest government hospital in the state, said, “We collect the liquid waste in three collection pits situated behind the two towers in the hospital. While the solid waste is cleaned later, the liquid waste is pumped into the Metro Water’s sewage line.” He added that the waste is not treated within the hospital.

“Firstly, a system needs to be in place to ensure that all the outlets from the operation theatres, labs, blood banks are separated before an Effluent Treatment Plant is installed. An estimate has been prepared and will be sent to the government within 10 days for financial approval,” he added.

“Omandurar Hospital has a treatment plant. Earlier, the rules provided for discharge of liquid waste through the sewage system which eventually would get treated. However, since the rules changed in 2016, the government is in the process of setting up treatment plants in all hospitals,” said Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan.

Meanwhile, sources from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board said that they regularly visit GHs and give officials directions on the need to treat the liquid waste before letting it out.