ETV Bharat exclusive: How do hospitals deal with the corona infection crisis

Correct disposal of waste generated during the treatment of coronavirus patients is a major challenge in front of the hospital authorities. Management of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla said the disposal of garbage of Corona patients are done as per the guidelines of the Central Government and State Pollution Control board.

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): Correct disposal of the biomedical waste generated during treatment, diagnosis, and quarantine of patients confirmed or suspected to have the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pose a big challenge in front of the hospital authorities.

There are 3 zonal hospitals, 12 regional hospitals and 6 medical college hospitals in the state. Most of the patients of Covid 19 are treated in medical colleges only. Management of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, one of the major hospitals in the state, said that the Central Government and State Pollution Control Guidelines are taken care of for disposal of garbage of Corona patients.

There are about 235 sanitation workers working in the hospital, which are divided into different units and have been given equal health protection accordingly. IGMC's Dr Janak told that the medic waste coming from the isolation wards and quarantine centres where Corona patients are being treated is handled with utmost care as per the guidelines of disposal of medical waste.

There is a special team on duty in the ward, whenever a Corona patient is admitted. It is mandatory for all team members to wear their PPE kit. According to the instructions of the State Pollution Control Board, the waste is put in a different colour envelope in the ward itself. This envelope consists of a double layer. After which they are packed and a 'Corona waste' sticker is put on the outside of the bag so that anyone who touches it, takes full care.

After sealing these envelopes, other sanitation workers pick them up and take them to the garbage house and they are kept separately according to the colours. After which special garbage vehicles transport them to the plant. In the presence of a supervisor, the waste is kept in sodium hydrochloride and other chemical solution for 1 hour.

The most important thing in this is that these envelopes are sealed in the ward.

Gaurav Thakur, a supervisor of the agency of the sanitation workers, said that the employees have been given all the safety equipment including PPE kit. After collection, the agency takes the waste directly to its plant. That bag is not opened, only the weight and the name of the center are entered and put in the insulator.