The Jharkhand High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the inadequate arrangements for disposing of biomedical waste at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi. The court, led by Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar, criticized RIMS for not complying with previous directives on proper waste disposal despite reminders. RIMS authorities have been instructed to submit a detailed affidavit outlining their progress in the tender process for managing biomedical waste.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 2 to review the situation further. During the proceedings, it was revealed that the new tender for biomedical waste disposal at RIMS is still pending finalization. RIMS informed the court that they are in the process of establishing a comprehensive waste management system within the hospital premises, covering biomedical, solid, and dry waste. Previously, the High Court had raised concerns about the indiscriminate waste dumping on the RIMS campus and requested a detailed report on the waste disposal mechanism in place.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) emphasized the need for strict enforcement of the Biomedical Waste Management Rules to ensure proper handling and disposal of waste from healthcare facilities in Jharkhand. The petitioner highlighted the risks to public health and the environment posed by the improper management of biomedical waste, urging prompt action by the state authorities to address the issue.
