The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has heightened surveillance of household waste disposal at landfill sites and initiated monitoring of waste management practices in health facilities to prevent the improper disposal of hazardous medical waste. The Environment Department of the metropolis aims to curb the mixing of medical waste with household waste, which poses significant health and environmental risks.
Recent actions include imposing a fine of Rs50,000 on a private organization caught attempting to dump hospital waste at the Bancharedanda landfill site. Additionally, monitoring teams, led by the deputy mayor, have assessed waste management practices in hospitals such as Kathmandu Model Hospital, B & B Hospital, and Kirtipur Hospital, warning them against improper waste disposal.
This crackdown follows previous instances where the city office detained a garbage truck for dumping hazardous hospital waste at landfill sites. The ongoing monitoring campaign, scheduled for a month, is set to issue reminders and warnings to health facilities about proper waste disposal practices, with legal action to be taken against violators.
The improper disposal of medical waste, including burning and mixing with household waste, has raised concerns about the spread of infections and environmental pollution. Burning medical waste, in particular, can release hazardous chemicals like dioxin and furan, posing serious health risks. Despite regulations, many health facilities lack proper waste disposal systems, leading to unsafe practices.
A report by the Ministry of Health and Population highlighted widespread improper waste disposal practices in private health facilities, including burning, burying, and mixing hazardous immunization waste with municipal waste. Only a small percentage of facilities were found to practice safe disinfection and recycling methods, indicating a need for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns.
The World Health Organization underscores the health risks associated with hazardous waste, including physical injury, chemical burns, toxic exposure, and the spread of infectious diseases. Effective waste management is crucial to protect public health and the environment, necessitating collaboration between authorities, health facilities, and communities to ensure proper disposal practices and mitigate risks.
