A STUDY OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT STATUS IN THE URBAN PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES OF GUWAHATI, ASSAM

Biomedical waste (BMW) is generated mainly by health care establishments. The management of BMW is still infant all across the world. According to Biomedical waste management rule 2016 (amended in 2018 & 2019),the health facilities need to ensure proper segregation of BMW and pre-treat the waste at the facility before disposal/handing over to Common Bio Medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBMWTF). A detailed study on BMW status in Urban Primary Health Centres (U-PHC) of Guwahati was carried out. The study depicts that 85% of the facilities does have Nodal person to monitor the BMW activities. None of the facility having coloured plastic bin/bags with biohazard symbol, designated waste route, weighing machine and centralized storage area. Collection of BMW by the CBMWTF was average twice a month.