Bio-medical waste disposal and HIV prevention

[Guest guest]

Dear Group Members,

I am a little disappointed reading the letters posted on the site. What we are

trying to do is basically consider the HIV positive cases, and the way to

educate them, find ways to treat them or to manage those cases. Nowhere an

attempt appears to minimize the chances of spread of the infection.

To my mind prevention would be the best strategy. In this, concept control

of infection-spread by taking scientific care of the bio-medical waste would

be an important plank to fight the scourge. We know for sure that reuse of,

or sharing of the disposable syringes is an important cause of spread of HIV

infection.

Therefore I would invite the forum members to share their thoughts in this

regard, since it is quite well known that disposal of the bio-medical waste

is far from satisfactory allover the country. Despite the issue of special

Gazette in the year 1998, and despite the deadline for implementing proper

hospital waste management over long back we are nowhere near achieving the

intended aims of the rules in this regard. This is rather sad that we cannot

realize the societal responsibility of such grave concern and importance.

It is not that we are ignorant, but I think there is a lackadaisical

attitude to the whole issue, not only amongst the health care providers but

also amongst the governmental agencies. There appears a strong requirement

to form an effective pressure group to goad the authorities to do something

substantial, and not only carry on with their sabbatical and

sermonizing attitude.

Unfortunately effective interventions can only be applied by the

authorities, but they are found wanting in this regard. There is no

standardization of the equipments recommended for the treatment of the

bio-medical waste, nor there is any apparent attempt to encourage

indegenised production of the equipments presently required to be imported

so that these are avalable at much cheaper rate. With the introduction of

universal immunization there will be a tremendous increase in the quantum of

the bio-medical waste which will require treatment to render these

disinfected. Therefore there is a requirement to fore-plan the

interventions, and specifically in the rural areas. To make things happen a

movement by committed people will be required.

Air Mshl LK Verma AVSM (Rtd)

E-mail:<laljee@...>