Aadil Abdullah
Bandipora, Jan 13: An incident has come to light at the District Hospital Bandipora after bundles of allegedly expired medicines were found being openly burned within the hospital premises, causing concern over biomedical waste management and public safety.
The incident came to light on Tuesday after a video showing large quantities of medicines being set on fire inside the hospital compound went viral on social media. The visuals show packets and cartons of medicines engulfed in flames in an open area located behind the hospital’s oxygen plant, with thick smoke billowing into the air. Health experts and environmental observers have termed the act a clear violation of established biomedical waste disposal norms.
Locals, hospital visitors, and patients expressed shock and anger over the incident, calling the practice dangerous and irresponsible. They said that burning pharmaceutical waste in the open, particularly within a district hospital, poses serious health risks. Toxic fumes released from burning medicines can adversely affect patients, hospital staff, and nearby inhabitants. Some locals also alleged that this was not the first such incident and claimed that similar practices had occurred earlier.
While the medicines seen in the viral video could not be independently verified as expired, the method of disposal has drawn sharp criticism. Under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, expired or unused medicines are required to be handed over to authorised biomedical waste handlers or disposed of through approved incineration facilities. Open-air burning of pharmaceutical waste is strictly prohibited due to environmental pollution, toxic emissions, and the risk of misuse.
Sources said the burning took place on Tuesday and alleged that after the video went viral, hospital authorities hurriedly attempted to destroy or conceal the remaining stock to avoid further scrutiny. According to these sources, a much larger quantity of medicines was initially meant to be disposed of.
Repeated attempts to seek a response from the Medical Superintendent of the hospital were unsuccessful. However, Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Dr Ishtiyaq, confirmed that disciplinary action had been initiated against the storekeeper responsible for the lapse.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, while talking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and said she would look into the issue.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Medical Superintendent has constituted a seven-member inquiry committee to conduct a detailed probe. As per an official order, the committee will examine records related to procurement, storage, condemnation, and disposal of medicines and verify compliance with the General Financial Rules and the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016. The panel has been directed to fix responsibility for any violations and submit its report within seven days. [KNT]
