For not complying with the segregation process of bio-medical wastes, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has given a month’s time to 32 private nursing homes across the state to follow the process otherwise they would be asked to shut down.

“We have given them one month’s time. Within this period, if they start with the proper process then they will be excused. If they do not, we will shut them down,” said Deepak Chakraborty, Chief Scientist, WBPCB.

The nursing homes are located in South 24-Parganas (16), North 24-Parganas (2), Howrah, (7) Kolkata (7) and others. The decision comes after a survey of 35 private nursing homes, which has less than 50 beds.

“There are two processes by which segregation of bio-medical wastes are carried out. One is by using autoclave machines and the other is incineration,” said S K Adhikari, senior engineer, WBPCB.

As per the Bio-Medical Waste Rules enacted in 1998, the generator of the wastes was given the onus of segregating the bio-medical waste. It also gave the responsibility of picking up the treated bio-medical waste to the municipalities. Meanwhile, the nursing homes were given December 2002 deadline for setting up such units. But later a PIL was filed against the Howrah Municipality for improper collection of bio-medical waste that led the court to direct development of common treatment facilities.

“Thus according to a public-private-partnership model such facilities were developed and at present there are five such facilities,” said Adhikari.

... contd.