Pandemic-induced spike in biomedical waste generation
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COVID-related biomedical waste generated in the State shot up from a median each day amount of 1,452 kg in March final to 11, 312 kg in April this yr, in response to the estimates by the Indian Medical Association Goes Eco Friendly (IMAGE).
The complete each day common of biomedical waste (together with COVID-related waste) recorded a large spike since March final yr. From a each day common of 34,078 kg in March, the waste generated reached 54, 512 kg in April this yr. IMAGE, an initiative of the Kerala chapter of the Indian Medical Association, has been working its Common Biomedical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility at Palakkad from 2003 onwards.
“We cater to about 16,900 healthcare institutions across the State in government and private sectors. The Palakkad facility, based on the incinerator model, has the capacity to treat nearly 55 tonnes of biomedical waste daily,” stated Sharafudheen K.P., secretary of IMAGE.
The worsening pandemic situation has resulted in a large spike in biomedical waste generated in the State. With IMAGE’s Palakkad facility unable to deal with the growing amount of waste, the federal government has given its nod to begin the operations of a standard biomedical waste therapy facility underneath the Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd in Ambalamedu right here. Official figures revealed that the each day generation of biomedical waste was above 50,000 kg from September final yr. October witnessed the best amount of a median 55,307 kg each day.
The common each day amount confirmed a rise from 52,551 kg in March to 54, 512 in April this yr in tune with the surge in COVID circumstances following the second wave. COVID-related common each day waste, which included masks, gloves, PPE kits and so forth., went up from 10,911 kg in March to 11, 312 kg in April this yr.
“As per our estimates, the average quantity of biomedical waste generated in government hospitals was nearly 660 g per bed while the corresponding figure in private hospitals was nearly 188 g. The data showed that government hospitals were generating a higher quantity of biomedical waste compared to private hospitals,” identified Dr. Sharafudheen.
The bar-coded assortment baggage and containers present IMAGE with a real-time monitoring of the gathering and transportation course of each day. The system helps individuals concerned discover out these accountable for any careless dealing with or dumping of luggage in violation of guidelines.
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