Report

On

“Regional workshop on initiatives towards making health care toxics free”

Hotel Pine Wood, Shillong

15th September, 2011

Organised by

TOXICS LINK

In Association With

WHO, India

Table of contents

Sr. no.

Aspects Pg no.

1 Summary report 3-6

2 Annexure I: List of participants

7-13

3 Annexure II: Media coverage of the workshop

14

Report on Meghalaya workshop:

A Workshop on “Bio-Medical Waste Management and Mercury Phase-Out from the

Healthcare Sector in Meghalaya” was held at Pinewood Hotel, Shillong on 15th September,

2011. The Workshop was organised by Toxics Link, an environmental NGO based in New

Delhi which is actively involved in issues of bio-medical waste management and phasing out

of mercury based equipment from the healthcare sector, in collaboration with the Meghalaya

State Pollution Control Board, Shillong. The Workshop was supported by the World Health

Organisation – India.

Inaugural session:

Shri J. H. Nengnong, Member Secretary, MSPCB welcomed all the participants, resource

persons and members of the press. Shri Satish Sinha, Associate Director, Toxics Link gave

the inaugural address and briefed about the status of bio-medical waste management and the

need for its proper implementation for the protection of public health and the fragile eco-

system of Meghalaya. He also discussed the lurking dangers from mercury based healthcare

equipment like thermometers and BP instrument (sphygmomanometer).

Session I: Status of Bio Medical Waste Management at the State Level

Following presentations were made in this session: Shri B. Blah War, Asstt. Environmental

Engineer, MSPCB presented Bio medical waste management status in Meghalaya. He

informed that there are 662 (six hundred and sixty two) healthcare units in Meghalaya that

require Authorisation from the Board and out of these 495 (four hundred and ninety five) have

been exempted from the purview of Authorisation, 138 (one hundred and thirty eight) have

applied for Authorisation, 39(thirty nine) have been authorised, 29 (twenty nine) have not

applied for authorization and 99(ninety nine) applications are under consideration.

The next presentation was by Shri E.Thma,

NEEDS, a Shillong based NGO, in which

they reflected on the status of

implementation of the Rules in selected

hospitals in Shillong.

This was followed by Shri D. Das, Sanitary

Superintendent; NEIGRIHMS presentation

on the management system followed in the

hospital and informed that a centralized

treatment and disposal facility will be

established within the next few months. The

positive steps taken by NEIGRIHMS in management of bio-medical waste right from the

point of generation to disposal can be replicated by other healthcare facilities in the state.

Shri S.Bhattacharjee, Woodland Hospital, gave presentation on the management practices

followed in his hospital. Shri A.Chatterjee, Eco Safe, Guwahati, through his presentation

shared his experience in providing treatment and disposal facilities to various healthcare units

in the Northeast.

Session II: National status of Bio Medical Waste Management

In this session, focus was laid on the National

status of the Bio medical waste management.

Dr. Ragini Kumari, Senior Programme Officer,

Toxics Link presented on the components of bio-

medical waste management, the importance of

training and awareness of the stakeholders. She

briefed about Toxics Link involvement in

formulation of policies and their implementation in

the last fifteen years in the country. She also presented on the dangers of mercury and its

impact on human health. She informed that a global movement for phasing out of mercury

from the healthcare sector by 2017 is being jointly initiated by the World Health Organisation

(WHO) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and a Global Mercury

Treaty will be in place by 2013. She also stressed upon shifting of healthcare equipments from

mercury based to its environment friendly alternatives.

Dr. S. Vira, Senior Medical Administrator, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi

described through his presentation, the establishment of healthcare waste management in a

tertiary healthcare institution. He emphasized on the efficient environmental management

practices and economical gains that can be achieved by exercising a proper waste management

system.

There was an active interaction with the participants through which a road map for proper

management of bio-medical waste and phasing out of mercury from the healthcare sector was

evolved, it includes:

1. Awareness and proper training of healthcare professionals and staff at various levels.

2. Training of municipal board staff dealing with bio-medical waste management.

3. Creating public awareness, including students.

4. To sensitise the need for a collective effort by all stakeholders.

5. The need of an integrated centralised treatment and disposal facility.

Annexure I: List of participants

S.No. Name & Designation Organisation (contact address &phone number)

1 Dr. Buan misto

Civil Hospital, Jowar 9615444992

2 Smt. Widakar Patwet

Civil Hospital, Jowar 9436399986

3 Smt. Magdeleine M. Jhabal Regional Health & F.W. training Centre, 943633078

4 Paster Institute, Shillong

5 Mr. Solomon H. Roberts Hospital,Shillong

6 Smt.Phratyeg Sulting Mimhans, Shillong

7 Clarissa Khashngor The Children’s Hospital

8 Sabina rehman Military Hospital, Shillong

9 Shri. Junapki Kyitjing Jowai Municipal Board, Jowai

10 Smt.Victorealnesssymbel Govt. Hospital, Noryston 9863356138

11 Shri. Shilandu Amse

Jowai Municipal Board, Jowai 9436106170

12 Shri Rynson Jowai Municipal Board, Jowai 8794420527

13 Smt. E. Nongsurer SMB

14 Mr. R.L. Blah SRB 9436100087

15 Mr. W. Basaawmont Ganesh Das Hospital,Shillong 9862203813

16 Mrs.B.Myrthing Paster Institute 9863064832

17 Dr. M.ryga Paster Institute, 9863064832 18 Dr. Baushankang K. Blah Rety Hospital, Shillong 9436304121

19 Mrs E.J. Batrew NEIGRIHMS, Shillong

20 D.K.Dats NEIGRIHMS, Shillong

21 Bah H. Siemens 99863063839

22 Ms.Aeilia Chyne NRHM, Bhoirymbong, CHC 9856863246 23 Dr. E.Kalwing D.V.O., Nongpoh, 9856111362 24 Dr.Z. Chaugsen Central Pollution Control Board 9436102587 25

Dr. E. Basaiwriot D.V.O Nongpoh, 9856111362

26 Dr.Shotan K. Dukk Central Pollution Control Board 9436102584 27 Dr.Z. Chaugsen Central Pollution Control Board 9436102587 28 H.P.Oflyn Dohling Symik Rangboh, Shillong

9863410967

29 B.E. Naikher SMB, 9436102754 30 P. Syiamni SMB, 9863020459 31 Dr. M.G. Pyngrope Veterinary Hospital, 9856383834 32 Mrs. Angel M. Lyndoh HOPE clinic, 985736045 33 Edward Thyma North East Educational & Develop. Society9774196784

34 Richard Siem NEEDS, 98633630419 35 Dr. Ragini Kumari Toxics Link

36 Dr. Roy Choudhary Mott Macdonald(team Leader)9830070787

37 Paul Lokho Mott Macdonald Pvt. Ltd., Shillong, 9436832176 38 T. Ranee SIPMIU, Shillong 9774010265

39 Kashmir Singh S.M.B, Shillong 9863433483

40 Dr. Shailesh Kumar Vice Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, Meghalaya 9436105105

10

41 Dr. S. Lahiri An-ker, Mawroh, Mawlai 9436334841

42 Shri B. Blahwar M.S.P.C.B., Shillong 9436364469

43 Ms.D. Syiemlieh M.S.P.C.B., Shillong 9402196535

44 Stebanshon Mylliemngap N.E.E.D.S.,9863022408

45 A.Lyndoh M.S.P.C.B., Shillong, 9863022408

46 Samuel Nangkyrich M.S.P.C.B., Shillong 9862081788

47 Lunshai Shylla M.S.P.C.B., Shillong

48 Dr. B mulwi M.S.P.C.B., Shillong 9436110580

49 Smt. J. Samrian MSPCB, Shillong 9436730478

50 Shri. L.C. Pajat MSPCB, Shillong 8014229899

51 Dr. Tribib kakoty AmmalConcern 08642521591

52 Mr. B.H. Rani SMB, 9863062837

11

53 R. Janey LSPCB

54 S. Syium Nursing Sister 9862440506

55 T. khongwar PTI, Shillong 9436170867

56 R. Suchieng The Sentinel 9436318960

57 Sr. Carmel Nazareth Hospital, 8014287938

58 S. Suer MSPCB 9615164705

59 Avia Pratham TNG 9774333047

60 K.B. Sakhar Director of A.H. Vet. 9436105576

61 B. Kloopya Soletti Kysienp, Shillong 986130813

62 Arsen Sawkuir P.C.N. 9856712102

63 K.Kharumnuid SIPMIU, Shillong 9436306554

64 Ebandalin Tongwaqh Nazareth Hospital, Shillong 9615446235

65 Valarie joan Shappliang Nazareth Hospital, Shillong

12

66 Limpharang C. War Jatah P H C 9612528538

67 Japeth B. Wanker VHRM 9774105013

68 Dr. Mary Balahun Sawkmie Lachnec Clinic 9089150060

69 J Mawrie TPO Muda 0364-2225591

70 BRM Lyndoh Veterinary officer 9436111404

71 Monica Laishen CHV 9863496757

72 Dr. D. Hajong Health & Family Welfare Dept. 9862720230

73 Namdi Tomme Nialong Health & Family Welfare Dept. 8974660474

74 Ashim Chatterjee Eco Safe, Guwahati 986404239

75 Shri. J.H. Nebgnong MPSC, Shillong 0364 2533802

76 Shri. Sabitabrata Bhattacharjee Woodland Hospital 9863092737

13

77 Shri W.Nonhkhlaw MSPCB, SHillong 9862615944

78 Shri E.MAring MSPCB, SHillong 9862615944

79 A.Mylliumumlong MSPCB, SHillong

80 Ms.W. Syienu MUDA, Shillong 9856642271

81 Dr. Sudhakar Vira Shri. Ganga Ram Hospital,New Delhi

82 Ms.Kankana Das Toxics Link

83 Mr. Satish Sinha Toxics Link

14

Annexure II: Media coverage of the workshop