Thiruvananthapuram: A long-awaited relief for large and small hospitals, clinics, laboratories and the healthcare sector in general, who are facing challenges in the risk-free disposal of biomedical waste. A technology has been developed to implement effective and practical solution for the proper disposal of hazardous biomedical wastes directly from their sources.
This totally new, revolutionary technology for biomedical waste management was presented at the Biomedical Waste Management conclave conducted on 26 March, 2024 by CSIR-NIIST. CSIR-NIIST, based in Pappanamcode and under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology, collaborates with BioVastum Solutions, a start up for the commercialization of this technology.
According to Dr. C Anandharamakrishnan, the Director of CSIR-NIIST, this advanced technology converts one kilogram of biomedical waste into a totally harmless soil additive, which can be useful for agricultural purposes, within just three minutes. Dr. Joshy Varkey, the Managing Director of BioVastum Solutions, mentioned that through this advanced technology, hazardous biomedical waste, can be disinfected and disposed off at its source, at a very low cost.
During the conclave held in Bhatnagar Auditorium, CSIR-NIIST, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram, expert panel discussions on topics including ‘Significance of Scientific Biomedical Waste Management – Focus on Pathogenic Waste, Pandemics, and Emerging Infections’ were held.
The panel of experts who participated in the discussion emphasized the importance of scientific biomedical waste management in preventing the spread of diseases caused by pandemics and emerging infections. They highlighted the need to ensure that such hazardous waste should not reach humans or animals and contaminate through water, air, or land. They also pointed out that the quantity of biomedical waste in hospitals has been increasing rapidly and if not managed properly, it could lead to disease outbreaks, as warned by healthcare experts.
Dr. M Srinivas, the Director of AIIMS, New Delhi, inaugurated the conclave during the morning session. The function was presided over by Dr. N Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR & Secretary DSIR.
Several distinguished speakers participated and addressed the conclave, including Dr. Sanjay Behari, Director of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum; Sreekala S, Chairperson of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board; Dr. Joseph Benevan, State President of the Indian Medical Association; Dr. Pragya D. Yadav, the Health Director in charge of ICMR National Institute for Occupational Health, Nagpur, and head of the BSL-4 Facility department at the National Institute for Virology, Pune; Dr. MS Faizal Khan, Managing Director of NIMS Medicity, Trivandrum; J Chandra Babu, Regional Director of the Central Pollution Control Board; and Dr. Sreejith Shankar P, Senior Scientist at CSIR-NIIST.
The conclave also witnessed the participation of more than 250 delegates from the healthcare fraternity including experts, policy makers, and technical experts from renowned Medical Colleges, Hospitals, and NGOs.
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