logo
Impact of hospital waste mismanagement highlighted

Impact of hospital waste mismanagement highlighted

Express Tribune21-03-2025

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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Quack vets thrive during Eid season
Quack vets thrive during Eid season

Express Tribune

time25-05-2025

  • Express Tribune

Quack vets thrive during Eid season

With Eid-ul-Adha just around the corner, a large influx of sacrificial animals is arriving in markets across the port city — yet no arrangements have been made to examine their health, leaving ample room for quacks posing as vets to mishandle their ailments. Every year, quack veterinary clinics are set up across different areas of the city for treating sick sacrificial animals. With no system for diagnosing animal diseases, sick animals are treated on the basis of their symptoms and are administered unnecessary antibiotic injections without proper testing which not only puts their own life at risk but also imperils the health of the people consuming their meat. Furthermore, Karachi is simultaneously facing a shortage of veterinary doctors ahead of the religious festival. According to Director Veterinary Livestock Dr Hizbullah Bhutto, every year on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, illegal quack clinics with no certified veterinarians start treating sacrificial animals. "Due to the large-scale movement of animals from one province to another, the possibility of an outbreak is obvious. Only 990 veterinary doctors are available across the province while so far 1.5 to 1.7 million sacrificial animals have been brought to Karachi alone," revealed Dr Bhutto. Veterinary expert, Dr Irshad Abbasi confirmed the operation of quack vet clinics across Sindh before Eid- ul-Adha. "The common man is unaware that these clinics do not have a certified veterinary doctor. It has been observed that the same type of cheap antibiotic is administered to all animals, which can be lethal. In the current season, diseases including foot and mouth disease are common among animals," explained Dr Abbasi. Reportedly, this year, quack clinics are charging a fee of Rs1,000 for checking an animal. However, no institution, including the Livestock Department, has been able to verify these clinics. Moreover, there is no mechanism for registering and identifying animals brought into livestock markets, which are neither vaccinated nor given healthy feed. "Animals brought on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha are not vaccinated since they are only present temporarily. Taking action against quacks is the responsibility of the district administration while the registration of animals brought into Karachi is the responsibility of the municipal administration, which collects a tax of Rs600. The Livestock Department is tasked with checking sick animals upon receiving information," confirmed Dr Bhutto, who further added that 10 camps had been set up at the border of Punjab and Balochistan for animal check-ups. On the other hand, Dr Abbasi felt that buyers too should play a proactive role in assessing the health of the animal they intended to purchase. "The purchase of sacrificial animals should be done in daylight so that the hooves and mouth of the animal can be checked. Furthermore, the animal should also be examined for signs of lethargy and swelling. Moreover, people visiting the cattle market should wear light-coloured, full-sleeved clothes to protect against insects attached to the animal's body," advised Dr Abbasi. Speaking of the role of citizens, on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Adha it is often seen that people slaughtering animals on the streets fail to clean the place afterwards due to which various bacteria grow rapidly in the blood left clotting on the ground. Later on, the stench emanating from the animal carcasses further contaminates Karachi's already polluted air. Spokesperson to the Commissioner of Karachi, Ghulam Muhammad Khan claimed that strict action will be taken against quack clinics set up for checking sacrificial animals. "The public should report these quack clinics by contacting the Commissioner's Office."

SEPA warns factories, hospitals
SEPA warns factories, hospitals

Express Tribune

time19-05-2025

  • Express Tribune

SEPA warns factories, hospitals

Various factories and health facilities were warned over environmental laws violations across Sindh, a statement said on Sunday. Upon directions of Secretary Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development, Agha Shahnawaz Khan, actions to ensure the implementation of environmental laws have intensified, with notices issued to several institutions, provincewide, after the monitoring of various factories, warehouses, hospitals, energy plants, and stone crushing units. A team of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act (SEPA), regional office Shaheed Benazirabad, and district office Sanghar, issued notices regarding the violation of environmental laws, to cotton factories, poultry sheds, and fertiliser warehouses, in Khipro.

SEPA accelerates operations to implement environmental laws
SEPA accelerates operations to implement environmental laws

Business Recorder

time19-05-2025

  • Business Recorder

SEPA accelerates operations to implement environmental laws

KARACHI: On the directives of Secretary Environment, Climate Change & Coastal Development Agha Shah Nawaz Khan, the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has accelerated operations across the province to ensure strict implementation of environmental laws. Following inspections of various factories, warehouses, hospitals, energy plants, and stone crushing units across Sindh, several establishments have been issued legal notices for violating environmental regulations. In Khapro (District Sanghar), the SEPA regional office Shaheed Benazirabad and district team issued notices with strict warnings to cotton factories, poultry sheds, and fertilizer warehouses for non-compliance with environmental laws. Meanwhile, in Tando Adam, United Energy Pakistan and Petro Waste Yard were ordered to immediately submit their Environmental Management Plans and Waste Management Plans. In another action, SEPA's Hyderabad regional office and Thatta district team issued stern warnings to ice factories in Dhabeji and Thatta for violating water quality standards and Sindh Environmental Quality Standards (SEQs). In Tando Allahyar, a surprise visit was conducted to the district hospital, where the medical superintendent was served a notice over violations of Hospital Waste Management Rules. Furthermore, the Hyderabad regional team conducted raids on unregulated stone crushing units and bitumen plants operating along the Tando Muhammad Khan bypass without required environmental safeguards. Notices were issued for causing environmental pollution. Environment Secretary Agha Shah Nawaz Khan directed all institutions to immediately comply with the SEPA Act 2014, warning of severe action in case of non-compliance. 'The preservation of Sindh's environment, natural diversity, and ecological systems is our collective responsibility,' he said, adding that a zero-tolerance policy will be enforced against environmental pollution. 'Institutions must fulfil their responsibilities and comply with environmental standards without delay, or the law will take its course,' the secretary cautioned. He reaffirmed that the protection of the natural environment remains a top priority of the Sindh government, and violators will be brought within the ambit of the law without exception. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store