Lack of facilities, 'public resistance' land state in grip of med-waste crisis

Only 70 tonnes treated daily; govt in dark about number of waste generators, say sources

- Shainu Mohan @T'Puram

KERALA is grappling with a medical-waste crisis as incidents of illegal dumping in neighbouring states become a major concern. The dumping of medical waste in Tamil Nadu has landed the state under the scanner of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has reiterated its call for urgent measures to address the critical issue.

According to sources, only 70 tonnes of medical waste generated daily in the state are being handled scientifically. And the fact that the health department and the state government have no clue as to the actual number of medical-waste generators is exacerbating the situation, they add.