HC seeks info on medical waste management
This medical waste will create significant health risks, according to the World Health Organization
The High Court (HC) has instructed the concerned authorities to inform it by August 10 about the steps being taken by the government on managing medical waste.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests has been asked to submit a report on this to the court.
A virtual high court bench of Justice JBM Hassan passed the order on Sunday after hearing a writ petition.
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Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallab appeared for the writ petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Debashish Bhattacharya represented the state.
Earlier on July 14, Barrister Md Humayun Kabir Pallab filed the writ petition on behalf of environmentalist Dr Anika Ali and the human rights organisation Law and Life Foundation.
In the writ petition, 16 people including the secretary of the environment and forest ministry, health secretary, director general of health department, mayors of two cities of Dhaka and all city corporations were made respondents.
Earlier on July 12, a legal notice was sent to the authorities concerned seeking full implementation of the provisions of the Medical Waste (Management and Processing) Rules, 2008.
Later, the writ was filed because action was not taken as per the notice.
"Medical waste, like other waste, causes unhealthy environmental pollution amid this deadly Covid-19 outbreak," the notice claimed.
Millions of pieces of health related equipment are being used across the country. A large number of other medical equipment is being used for coronavirus examination.
This medical waste will create significant health risks, according to the World Health Organization.
