Madras high court sought a response from the state on a plea seeking a direction for installation of effluent treatment plants at all govt hospitals in districts falling under Madurai bench’s jurisdiction.
The case was posted for hearing on Oct 8. Because the govt hospitals cater predominantly to economically weaker sections of society, he stated that the issue assumes greater significance. Madurai: Madras high court sought a response from the state on a plea seeking a direction for installation of effluent treatment plants at all govt hospitals in districts falling under Madurai bench’s jurisdiction. Every patient entering a govt hospital is entitled to receive medical treatment in a safe and hygienic environment. Equally, sanitation workers and healthcare professionals are entitled to protection from avoidable occupational exposure arising out of improper waste management practices. The petitioner stated that Govt Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai generates enormous quantities of biomedical waste every day and it is not treated properly as the hospital’s sewage treatment plant is not working properly, resulting in sewage being discharged directly into Vaigai river. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking a direction to the authorities to install effluent treatment plants with adequate capacity in all govt health facilities in the districts under Madurai bench’s jurisdiction. The petitioner also sought a direction to the authorities to conduct periodic inspections to verify the proper functioning of effluent treatment plants in all the govt hospitals and sought the strict implementation of the guidelines for green and climate-resilient healthcare facilities.