Implications and implementation of biomedical waste management rules 2016 in hospitals and a common biomedical waste treatment facility in Andhra Pradesh, India

Biomedical waste (BMW) originated from various medical-related activities are potentially hazardous to human and animal health and poses significant threat to environment. BMW however can be rendered safe and unobjectionable, both aesthetically and environmentally if healthcare facility managers implement the appropriate requirements and recommendations of the several codes of practice and technical advice. This paper gives a brief description of the BMW Rules 2016 and the amendments thereof, the current BMW management practices in the selected health facilities in Vijayawada and a common BMW treatment facility. The case study was carried out by general survey of the facilities. It was observed that the hospitals were largely abiding to the prescribed regulations in case of collection, storage and handling the BMW. The disposal and treatment is being carried out by a proprietary firm and is in compliance with the regulatory standards. Copyright © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.