Minister wants more biomedical waste treatment plants in AP

VIJAYAWADA: Environment minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy underlined the need for setting up more biomedical waste treatment plants to ensure safe disposal of waste, as the number of hospitals and bed strength in AP have increased,

At his meeting with AP Pollution Control Board chairman Sameer Sarma, special chief secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad and member secretary B. Sridhar here on Thursday, the minister asked officials to give new applicants permission for setting up additional biomedical waste treatment plants based on eligibility and requirements.

“This will help handle such waste in a proper manner and ensure health for general public,” Ramachandra Reddy observed.

He said as per 2021 annual report, AP has 13,728 hospitals with bed strength of 1,68,255. They are generating 7,197 tonnes of biomedical waste per annum. There are 12 biomedical waste treatment plants existing in the state. Hospitals are expected to shift their waste to these plants in 48 hours.

In this context, the minister directed officials to comply with guidelines issued by National Green Tribunal for dealing with biomedical waste in the state.