Kolkata, Oct. 23 -- West Bengal Health secretary NS Nigam on Friday urged the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department to ensure daily waste clearance from government hospitals, stressing the importance of sanitation, hygiene and infection control in healthcare facilities.

In a letter dated October 23, Nigam sought immediate directions to all urban local bodies (ULBs), including municipal corporations and municipalities, to establish regular waste collection and disposal mechanisms for hospitals within their jurisdictions.

The letter stressed that timely disposal of general, non-biomedical solid waste was essential to maintaining clean hospital premises and preventing public health hazards. It proposed constructing dedicated waste storage pits within hospital campuses and installing colour-coded bins in high-footfall areas, particularly outpatient departments (OPDs) and patient attendants' shelters, to prevent littering and promote waste segregation at source.

The Health department has also called for strict adherence to daily waste-lifting schedules to prevent garbage accumulation. The directive follows concerns over overflowing waste at hospital campuses, including a recent incident at Purulia Medical College, where the department issued show-cause notices to eight officials over poor waste management.

Beyond sanitation, the letter highlighted the need for urgent repairs and renovation of internal and approach roads connecting hospitals, along with improvements to drainage systems. Periodic tree pruning, weeding and bush-clearing within hospital premises have also been proposed, with municipal bodies asked to deploy appropriate equipment and local workforces.

To ensure effective implementation and coordination, the Health Department has requested the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department to share the contact details of designated nodal officers at the local level. The initiative seeks to strengthen municipal accountability for hospital sanitation and ensure cleaner, safer healthcare environments across the state.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.