Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), Government of India, has notified Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules in 1998, as amended in the years 2000 & 2003, to provide a regulatory framework for segregation, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of the bio-medical waste generated from the Health Care Facilities (HCFs) in the country so as to avoid adverse impact on human health and environment.
Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare ShriGhulamNabi Azad in a written reply in the RajyaSabha gave this information.National Guidelines on Hospital Waste Management based on Bio-medical waste (Management & Handling) Rules were released by Ministry of Health and Family welfare and distributed to all States/Union Territories in 2002 for implementation. In addition, a National Policy document and Operational Guidelines for Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and Sub-centres developed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have been released for proper Bio-medical Waste Management under implementation of Infection Management and Environment Plan (IMEP).
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has prescribed guidelines for Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities as well as for design and construction of Incinerators. As per the National Guidelines for Hospital Waste Management mentioned above, the Head of the hospital shall form a waste Management Committee under his Chairmanship. The Waste Management Committee shall meet regularly to review the performance of the waste disposal. This Committee is responsible for making hospital specific action plan for hospital waste management and for its supervision, monitoring implementation and looking after the safety of the bio-medical waste handlers.