Impact of hospital waste mismanagement highlighted

Environment Court Regional Director Imran Ali Abbasi has highlighted the detrimental effects on human health resulting from improper disposal of hospital waste.

He was speaking at a daylong workshop aimed at raising awareness about the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2014. The workshop was organised under the supervision of the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) at its regional office.

Abbasi stressed the importance of adhering to environmental laws, particularly in the management of medical waste. He urged all government, semi-government, and private hospitals to comply with these regulations, noting that failure to do so would lead to stringent actions under the SEPA Act.

The workshop provided a detailed briefing on environmental laws and the specific guidelines outlined in the Hospital Waste Management Rules. Representatives from both government and private hospitals participated in the session, showing widespread engagement with the issue.

Abbasi further elaborated on the significance of the Environment Act 2014 and its role in safeguarding public health. He also highlighted the Hospital Waste Management Act, urging for its strict implementation across all healthcare institutions.

Dr Pervaiz Ahmed Sheikh, Deputy Director General Health, stressed the need for individual responsibility in the proper disposal of hospital waste. He warned that improper disposal could lead to more significant health and environmental issues in the future.