Case No: WPC/4369/2003
Summary:
This PIL concerns the disposal of bio - medical waste by Medical Colleges and Hospitals, and Nursing homes. It raises the issue of improper waste management that causes to the environment, health and hygiene of patients, as well as an increase in infectious diseases that endangers the life and wellbeing of the public. The petitioner prayed for the setting up of modern plants like Autoclave and incinerators in medical colleges and hospitals. Several orders were passed by this Court in the matter til l early 2015. Thereafter, in its order dated 28 th March, 2022, the court noted that the order has not yet been complied with, inasmuch as the affidavit of the State had not been forthcoming. The counsel for the petitioner had demonstrated that the issue is very much alive and produced before the Court a copy of letter dated 12 th January, 2021 from the Superintendent, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack to the Secretary to Revenue Divisional Commissioner (CD), Cuttack stating therein how an estimate fo r a sum of Rs.20,00,000/ - for repairing the incinerator had been sent to the Director Medical Education & Training and despite repeated letters, it had not yet been responded to.