ISLAMABAD:Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nelson Azeem informed the National Assembly on Monday that comprehensive measures are in place to ensure safe and proper disposal of medical waste across the country.
Responding to a question during the question hour, he termed medical waste management a “serious concern” and said that relevant authorities, including the health regulatory body in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency, were actively managing the system through a coordinated mechanism.
He said a dedicated online portal had been established to facilitate complaints and ensure transparency, adding that all major healthcare facilities, including tertiary hospitals, dispensaries and other institutions, were being monitored through this system.
The parliamentary secretary further informed that around 24 inspection teams were conducting daily visits to healthcare facilities to ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
He said notices were issued to institutions found violating rules, and necessary action was taken accordingly.
Nelson Azeem said private healthcare institutions had also been brought into the system, while licensed waste disposal companies were engaged to improve efficiency in handling hazardous medical waste.
Replying to supplementary questions, he acknowledged that while the system was functioning satisfactorily, there was always room for improvement.
He said certain deficiencies had been identified during inspections, for which corrective measures were being taken following consultative meetings with stakeholders.
He further informed the House that nearly 80 percent of medical waste was generated by tertiary hospitals, which had been directed to ensure proper functioning of their incinerators.
The parliamentary secretary said that 499 notices had been issued to clinics and other establishments over violations, warning them to rectify shortcomings or face cancellation of registration.
He added that over 2,000 healthcare facilities were registered with the regulatory authority and were being regularly inspected to ensure compliance, with action taken based on inspection reports.