Issue of bio-medical waste disposal not yet addressed properly
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 19 2025: A concerning pattern has emerged over biomedical waste disposal by JNIMS authorities as the hospital authorities continue to bury the toxic waste in pits and cover it with earth instead of properly removing it from the site.

Notably, JNIMS authorities had constituted an internal committee to investigate improper biomedical and chemical waste disposal at its southern campus after The Sangai Express exposed irresponsible waste management.

The reports were published on April 4 and 5, 2025 .

This reporter visited the site on April 9 and again today to assess the progress made by JNIMS authorities in resolving the issue in the public interest, but not much improvement is evident.

Issue of bio-medical waste disposal not yet addressed properly

Empty pits were also detected at the site, raising concerns that they were dug solely for dumping more waste.

Even as JNIMS authorities manage the waste however they like, State authorities have seemingly turned a blind eye.

People have also witnessed ponies grazing at the site contaminated with toxic substances and some people have reported that their cattle fell sick after entering the area .

The site where the JNIMS disposes anatomical and biomedical waste is only about 100-150 meters away from the Central Dairy Plant, a milk processing facility.

Despite the JNIMS Director's notice to properly manage biomedical waste, the hospital authorities have not removed the waste from the site.

They instead disposed it by digging pits and covering it with earth using heavy machinery.

There is little evidence of JNIMS authorities making a genuine effort to resolve the issue, and their actions appear to be mere cosmetic fixes, as coloured bags containing toxic waste remain visible at the site.

The bags remain visible because they were not properly buried, and the site is still in disarray.

The yellow bags contain radioactive human and animal anatomical waste, soiled waste, expired or discarded medicines, chemical waste and micro, biotechnological and clinical waste while the red bags contain contaminated medical supplies such as tubes, bottles, intravenous tubes and sets, catheters, urine bags, syringes (without needles) and gloves as per earlier report.

Moreover, a foul stench continues to emanate from the site, despite JNIMS's claim that they have initiated pest control and odour neutralization efforts.

The dumping site, claimed by JNIMS to be within its campus, lies dangerously close to the Central Dairy Plant and the Modern College boys' hostel.

As no authorities, including the Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB), have checked how JNIMS authorities manage the waste, a disturbing question arises: Would the MPCB remain silent if a private hospital also discarded toxic waste in a similar manner? .

Some sections of people are even asking why the MPCB officials are not performing their duty.

Earlier on April 6, JNIMS authorities said that all waste disposal activities at the site have been suspended.

They also said that they held a meeting with MPCB officials to upgrade the incinerator at the hospital, streamline segregation of biomedical waste and transportation of general waste to Lamdeng solid waste management plant, among others.