Pandemic-induced spike in biomedical waste generation
The Hindu
Data by IMAGE shows generation of 11, 312 kg of refuse in April
COVID-related biomedical waste generated in the State shot up from an average daily quantity of 1,452 kg in March last to 11, 312 kg in April this year, according to the estimates by the Indian Medical Association Goes Eco Friendly (IMAGE). The total daily average of biomedical waste (including COVID-related waste) recorded a massive spike since March last year. From a daily average of 34,078 kg in March, the waste generated reached 54, 512 kg in April this year. IMAGE, an initiative of the Kerala chapter of the Indian Medical Association, has been operating its Common Biomedical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility at Palakkad from 2003 onwards. “We cater to about 16,900 healthcare institutions across the State in government and private sectors. The Palakkad facility, based on the incinerator model, has the capacity to treat nearly 55 tonnes of biomedical waste daily,” said Sharafudheen K.P., secretary of IMAGE.The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.