Pollution Board Officials Raid Hospitals

VISAKHAPATNAM:  In a surprise move, the officials of Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) conducted raids on both public and private hospitals, including King George Hospital (KGH), across north Andhra districts Saturday. The officials slapped notices on several hospitals and also imposed fines on some.

The APPCB officials had earlier carried out inspections on several hospitals of the city, where they found bio-medical wastes being littered on the hospital premises along with other wastes. Concerned about the conditions, the APPCB officials issued notices to the hospital authorities. The KGH, ABC Hospital, Manipal Hospital, Sai Spoorthi Hospital, Venkata Ramana Nursing Home and Kala Hospital were inspected.

In Vizianagaram, the PCB officials raided Sindhura Hospital, Baggu Sarojini Devi Hospital, Amritha Hospital, Siri Hospital and Rainbow Hospitals. The hospital managements were asked to arrange for disposal of the bio-waste in a scientific manner as it could be hazardous to the health of patients.

Similarly, special checks were conducted at the Maharaja Government Hospital and Ghosha Hospital in Srikakulam town. The hospital managements were asked to train the staff for proper disposal of medical waste to avoid environmental hazard.

In all the districts, the hospital managements were asked to collect bio-waste on a regular basis and also warned the hospitals to obtain necessary permissions from the APPCB for smooth running of the hospitals and to ensure a risk-free environment for patients.