Authors : I. Jagadeeswara Rao
Page Nos : 49-63
Description :
Health Care assumes prime place on the welfare and developmental agenda of
all civilized nations as it is one of the fundamental requirement for the survival and
development of the human race. As a consequence there has been continuous research
in the area of health services which resulted in the tremendous advancements in the
health care system over the years. The modern world witnesses establishment of a
variety of health care institutions which includes hospitals, nursing homes, blood
banks, pathological laboratories etc to address the health concerns of the world
populace. These institutions are regarded as sacred and public beneficial as they offer
solutions to the health problems of the people by providing immunization, diagnosis
and treatment facilities. However, it is ironic that these health care settings, which
restore and maintain community health are also threatening their well-being through
creation of hazardous health care waste or hospital waste which posses risk for
spreading certain infectious diseases and affecting human wealth and well being.
At present, management of hospital waste, has become a cause of concern at
global and national levels. With advancement of medical science most of the
hospitals/nursing homes are now equipped with latest instruments for diagnosis and
treatment of various diseases. One of the most important aspect associated with
hospitals is the safe management of the wastes; generated from these establishments,
which contains human anatomical wastes, blood, body fluid, disposable syringe, used
bandages, surgical gloves, Blood bags, intravenous tubes etc. It is a well established
fact that there are many adverse and harmful effects to the environment including
human beings which are caused by the “Hospital waste†generated during the patient
care.
As Bio-medical waste may pose numerous health and safety hazards to patients,
health care providers and to the community at large, the Central government had come
out with a Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules as early as 1998 following a Supreme
Court ruling in this regard. This paper, therefore, makes an attempt to critically
A Four-monthly Journal By
Vishwashanti Multipurpose Society,
(Global Peace Multipurpose Society) Page 50
International Journal of Researches in
Social Science and Information Studies
(IJRSSIS)
September 2013
Issue-1, Volume-1
Online Journal
ISSN No. 2347-8268
evaluate the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handlings) Rules notified by the
Government of India on 27th July 98; under the provisions of Environment Act 1986.
Key Notes: Bio-Medical Waste, Environment, health hazards
