India: Infectious waste still disposed of in the open

Infectious waste, body parts and sharp discards continue to be mixed with general waste and disposed of in the open even as biomedical waste units have been established and measures taken for segregation at the points of origin. What is more appalling is that sharp objects like needles, syringes, blades and even plastic discards are being blatantly collected from the disposal points and most possibly making way to the illicit recycling units and thereby creating hazardous consequences. These have been brought to the fore in an inspection report submitted to the High Court by its appointed counsel PR Das.

WHO Medical Waste Guide

WHO Programme activities include developing technical guidance materials for assessing the quantities and types of waste produced in different facilities, creating national action plans, developing national healthcare waste management (HCWM) guidelines and building capacity at national level to enhance the way HCW is dealt with in low income countries.