Six major hospitals have been issued closure orders for violating the hospital waste rules. The Lok Ayukta has now ordered these hospitals to shut down operations after the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) identified non adherence of the Biomedical Waste Rules.
The six hospitals are Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), ESI Hospital, St. Marthas Hospital, HAL Hospital, Chinmaya Hospital and BR Ambdekar Medical College Hospital for failing to provide liquid waste treatment plant despite several notices.
These hospitals have violated the Biomedical Waste Handling and Management Rules, liquid waste comprises waster from laboratory, washing, house keeping and disinfectant activities. The closure orders have been implemented under Section 33 of Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1974. The final orders were passed after inspections, issuing notices and personal hearing. Hospitals are directed to close functioning within 15 days of issue of order and make alternative arrangements for in-patients. Both the Electricity and Water Boards would cut the supply to these hospitals. The District Commissioner of Bangalore would ensure that hospitals are closed until further orders.
According to the law, liquid wastes must be treated and then discharged into sewer. Last month, 14 hospitals were issued show cause notices for not having provided treatment plants. Subsequently, they have commenced the process of installation.
In the second round of inspections, KSPCB issued closure to these six hospitals. The 402 bed Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College Hospital and 200 bedded Chinmaya Hospital were being asked since 2007 to get the effluent treatment plant installed. The final notice was given in December 2008.
"Ample time was given to the hospital to install waste treatment plants but the hospital management have not responded. The untreated liquid waste is being let in the Bangalore Water Supply Systems Board (BWSSB) sewers. As per the orders from the Lok Ayukta, the vigilance arm for the Karnataka Government, we are taking stern action", stated HC Sharatchandra, chairman Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.