Meghalaya to install incinerators in 3 districts

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 21, 2020

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday informed that the government is in the process of procuring three incinerators for proper disposal of bio-medical wastes. 

Sangma was clarifying to a reply given by the health minister AL Hek that one incinerator has been installed at the Shillong civil hospital during the question hour in the Assembly. 

“I would like to correct that Shillong civil hospital does not have an incinerator. (However), the process for procurements (of incenerators) are on in all three locations (Shillong, Jowai and Tura),” the CM said after the question hour.  

Earlier, Hek had informed that Shillong civil hospital is having an incinerator and that new ones are being procured for Jowai, West Jaintia Hills and Tura, West Garo Hills.

Mawphlang legislator SK Sunn however said that as per his information, the only hospital in Shillong which have an incenerator is the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS). 

He said this information was given to the Assembly’s Committee on Environment during its meeting held with the health department. 

Sunn said according to DHS (MI), the incenerator installed by the municipal board was not functioning.

On Gambegre MLA Saleng A Sangma’s request for directing all hospitals to install incinerator, the minister said that it is mandatory for all of them to have incenerators for disposal of bio-medical wastes.

The minister also welcomed the suggestion of Nongkrem MLA Lambor Malngiang on the need to also set up incinerators at the PHC or CHC level.

When Ampati MLA Miani D Shira wanted to know if personal protection equipments (PPEs) will be provided to nokmas looking after community quarantine centres, Hek said PPEs will be given whenever it is necessary.