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Plastics menace still ails hospitals, authorities blame staff shortage
Much before the ban on plastics came into effect, its use was prohibited inside government hospitals in July.
Chennai
But the institutions in Tamil Nadu have failed to implement it, with the patients and health workers continuing to use plastic bags inside the hospital premises, while the hospital authorities admitting lack of staff to check plastic usage on campus.
After plastics usage was banned, the hospitals undertook various initiatives such as distribution of jute and paper bags, setting up vertical gardens, replacing plastic plates with ones made of steel and also held awareness drives to stop its usage. However, even after the State-wide ban that came into force from the New Year, little has changed inside hospitals, as authorities have failed to monitor the usage of plastic bags and bottles.
Sumathi, a 58-year-old conservancy staff at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), said she often carried waste in plastic covers. “Patients usually throw food waste, water bottles and other items in plastic covers. I bring my own materials in plastic covers, as I have not been directed not to use plastic covers,” Sumathi said.
Even though many patients seem to be unaware of the ban, the hospital authorities claim to have taken measures to stop the use of plastics in the hospital premises. “We have a nodal officer for waste management. But we have not appointed anyone to specifically implement the plastic ban. With a huge footfall, it is difficult to monitor everyone daily. But every Wednesday, we conduct an awareness drive to inform the public on the ban,” said Dr K Narayanasamy, medical superintendent at RGGGH.
Eateries and other shops inside the hospital premises, too, were found to be handing over goods in plastic covers, and selling plastic boxes and bottles. Last year, the Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) distributed around 2,000 cloth bags to doctors, staff and patients at the hospital to do away with plastic bags. However, the hospital authorities now admit that it is difficult to make patients and attendants comply with the plastic ban.
“We usually bring our medical reports, medicines and other necessary materials in plastic covers. If I need to buy food or juice from outside, the shopkeepers use plastic covers to pack it. How am I supposed to follow to plastic ban,” asked 23-year-old Raja Sekar, a patient at the hospital.
The nodal officer to check plastic usage at KMC said they have instructed the eateries in the hospital to use steel plates, paper cups and wooden spoons. “However, we cannot force patients to remove their materials from the covers they bring them in,” the official said.
Authorities at Stanley Medical College and Hospital and Omandurar Government Multi-Speciality Hospital said they did not have enough staff to look into the use of plastics in the hospitals. “It is a behavioural change that public should adapt to; patients and their attendants cannot be forced to adhere to the regulations by the hospital authorities,” said Dr Narayana Babu, dean, OmandurarGovernment Multi-Speciality Hospital.
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