Perinthalmanna Model of Biomedical Waste Management

Context:

According to the study, Perinthalmanna in Kerala has an effective system for managing biomedical waste.

Biomedical waste is any waste produced during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human or animal research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biological or in health camps.
The basic principle of good BMW practice is based on the concept of 3Rs, namely, reduce, recycle, and reuse.

Biomedical waste

Healthcare facilities in Perinthalmanna segregate their waste at the time of generation itself.
- Colour-coded trash cans are used for this purpose.
Special containers and puncture-resistant bags are installed in various locations.
Each container has a unique QR code for each healthcare facility. So whenever the bags are filled, the healthcare facility scans the QR code and uploads the information into the mobile application of the agency authorized with waste management.
The agency is then notified and dispatched to the respective healthcare facility to collect, treat and dispose of the waste in accordance with the procedures.
An agency under the Indian Medical Association is responsible for safely managing biomedical waste, which they treat at a facility in the Palakkad district of Kerala.

Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016

Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection or sterilization on-site in the manner as prescribed by WHO or NACO;
Provide training to all its health care workers and immunize all health workers regularly;
Establish a Bar-Code System for bags or containers containing biomedical waste for disposal;
Report major accidents; Existing incinerators to achieve the standards for retention time in secondary chamber and Dioxin and Furans within two years;
The new rules prescribe more stringent standards for incinerator to reduce the emission of pollutants in environment;
Inclusion of emissions limits for Dioxin and furans;
State Government to provide land for setting up common biomedical waste treatment and disposal facility;
No occupier shall establish on-site treatment and disposal facility, if a service of `common bio-medical waste treatment facility is available at a distance of seventy-five kilometers.