Biomed waste and garbage found strewn in GMCH storeroom

Nagpur: Biomedical waste mixed with garbage was found strewn on the floor in the storeroom of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and GMCH had denied that biomedical waste mixed with garbage was lifted and transported to Bhandewadi dumping yard a day ago. Videos and pictures clearly show a minor boy lifting and loading mixed garbage in vehicle engaged by garbage operator AG Enviro Infra Projects Pvt Ltd.
TOI had on Tuesday reported biomedical waste mixed garbage was packed in yellow bags (meant for human organs, expired medicines, blood stained cotton etc), red bags (dry medical waste), and black (garbage) plastic bags and thrown in the premises of GMCH. The boy came in the vehicle and also brought out some bags from a storeroom. Biomedical waste was seen clearly strewn on the floor, it was lifted and loaded by the boy into the vehicle.
Later, the vehicle was weighed and cleared by employees of NMC at the entrance of Bhandewadi dumping yard. The bags were unloaded in the premises of the compost manufacturing unit.
After TOI asked for a version, NMC deputy commissioner Dr Gajendra Mahalle directed the Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS) to visit GMCH. “They visited storeroom meant for keeping biomedical waste in scientific manner inside GMCH. Biomedical waste mixed with garbage was found on the floor instead of being packed in colour coded bags. NDS issued notice to GMCH immediately. We are yet to receive a reply from GMCH,” he said.
In another violation, biomedical waste mixed with garbage was stored in black plastic bags inside storeroom.
NDS personnel handed over the notice to dean Dr Sudhir Gupta. “We have sent action taken report to NMC. We cannot disclose internal action,” dean said.
Mahalle said, “GMCH officials verbally denied any biomedical waste was dumped and handed over to AG. They said garbage was packed in yellow and red plastic bags as they did not have black plastic bags. We will take further action after receiving the official reply.”
Mahalle also said NMC employees checked the plastic bags brought from GMCH and thrown at the dumping yard, and said there was no biomedical waste in it. “I have asked them to give inspection report in writing,” he said.
Union leader of daily wage sanitary workers Mukesh Shahu had chased the vehicle from GMCH to Bhandewadi dumping yard and took the videos.
Mahalle said notice was also issued to AG Enviro for lifting and transporting yellow and red plastic bags. “Operator is supposed to take garbage packed only in black plastic bags. It is a violation of the agreement and also norms. We will take appropriate action in this regard,” he said.
Asked about action on NMC employees, who allowed red and yellow plastic bags to be dumped inside garbage dumping yard, Mahalle assured notice would be issued to all concerned employees on Wednesday.