Responding to the cut policy motion moved by Congress MLAs, K Ranjit and Th Lokeshwar Singh, on lack of biomedical waste management and improper disposal of waste material during the demand and discussion session on medical, health and family welfare services, Manipur Health Minister Sapam Ranjan said that projects of 68 effluent treatment plants have been taken up for biomedical treatment.
He stated on Monday during the ensuing third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
He added that the construction work will be completed by March 31, 2023. Once these plants are in operation, all the biomedical waste produced in the state can be treated in a systematic way. He said that for health institutions located in far-flung areas, the biomedical waste is buried in deep pits as per Biomedical Waste Management Rule 2015.
Presently, all the biomedical waste is also disposed of in a proper manner, the minister said, adding that the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) have their separate in-house incinerator whereas waste produced from around 57 health centres, including Community Health Centre, Primary Health Centres and District Hospital is being incinerated at SHIJA Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility Centre.
In connection with Congress MLA Ranjit question regarding dental chair of JNIMS, the health minister clarified that an equipment was procured from Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and the said item is under warranty period.
In addition to that, the Dental Council of India routinely carried out inspections to ascertain the quality of equipment, teachers and others of the institute before issuing a recognition certificate. Viewing the above criteria, there is no chance of providing low-quality equipment. However, the state government will check out whether there is any foul play in buying the equipment of Dental College, he assured.
Regarding COVID warrior bill payment, he said by March the due payment will clear.
