the goan I network
PANAJI
As per a survey conducted by a State government-appointed consultant Toxics Link, a total of around 1092 tonnes of bio-medical waste and around 6,400 tonnes of sanitary waste is generated in Goa annually.
The finding has prompted the Goa government to invite quotes from service providers on a ‘Design, Build, Operate and Transfer’ basis for a common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility” at Kundaim Goa to collect, treat and dispose off this biomedical waste scientifically for a period of 20 years.
The entire facility shall be set up by the successful bidder at his own expense after which the bidder will collect fees from healthcare facilities and urban local bodies for collection and disposal of biomedical waste. The plant will generate employment for around 30 people.
As per the report by Toxics Link, a total of approximately 17,179 kgs sanitary waste and 80 kgs of biomedical waste was estimated to be generated from households in Goa per day and the total bio-medical waste generation from various healthcare facilities in Goa approximately amounted to 2,911 kgs per day.
Sources of this biomedical waste include all types of healthcare, laboratory, research facilities as well as households and pharmaceuticals. Sanitary waste generated includes sanitary napkins and diapers.
According to the Goa State Pollution Control Board figures, Goa has 434 healthcare facilities that include 216 clinics, 65 pathological laboratories, and 153 hospitals and nursing homes.
The state also has 5 veterinary hospitals and 25 clinics under public facilities and 27 private pet
clinics.
Presently, a part of the waste is disposed of by healthcare institutions by burying it in deep pits, while a large proportion of this waste is incinerated at Goa Medical College (GMC).
Goa Health Monitoring Services (GHMS) has been collecting and managing some amount of the biomedical waste generated in the State, primarily in and around Panaji. With the present method, there is a risk of dumping, open burning and disposal
of biomedical waste along with municipal waste which poses a serious public health concern.
Improper management practices of biomedical waste also pose a serious threat through reuse of used medical devices such as syringes, gloves, intravenous tubes, etc.
The new proposed biomedical waste treatment plant will have secured premises, bar code scanning and segregation room, incinerator with air pollution control
devices, autoclave, shredder, effluent treatment plant, ash storage area and vehicle washing facility.
