Action against hospitals for not disposing of medical waste

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated action against hospitals in Islamabad for not disposing of medical waste.

The agency has issued a notice to the PAF Hospital over the non-disposal of hazardous waste as well.

The EPA has formally taken notice of the slowdown in the disposal of medical waste by the healthcare facilities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In this regard, EPA Director General Farzana Altaf Shah conducted a personal hearing on the issue.

The official issued directions to the PAF Hospital management to dispose of hazardous waste at the earliest.

While talking to The Express Tribune, the DG said the medical waste disposal process had slowed down during the coronavirus situation.

She added that EPA would inspect all hospitals in the federal capital on a weekly basis. The official said that the violators of the Environmental Protection Act would face serious action.

She said action will be taken against the violators if they failed to comply with the orders issued in the personal hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2021.