Bio-Medical Waste Management in India: Contemporary approaches and way forward

Abstract

The rights of citizens to clean and healthy environment provides the foundation for management of BMW in India. With increasing population and economic development leading to large amount of waste generated it becomes imperative to have an adequate, safe and sustainable management of bio-medical waste (BMW). India was one of the first countries to implement BMW Management rules in 1998 under Environmental Protection Act 1986. But National Green Tribunal states that only 1.1 lakh of the 2.7 lakh healthcare facilities identified across the country are authorized under the BMW management rules, reflecting the service level gap creating risks of inadequate disposal posing serious health hazard. It has become more evident after SARS COVID-19 breakout which highlighted the policy level framework of BMW management System an existing practices. Lessons learnt from this can help as driving force to achieve benchmark in this field. This study briefly reviews the evolution of policy level framework, nature of existing practices and situation of BMW Management in India. Collective analysis of these factors and equating it with best practices available globally, contemporary advancements and innovation can help pave a way forward.