Ranchi: Health minister Irfan Ansari on Friday informed the assembly that govt would set up high-tech micro biomedical waste treatment plants in district hospitals and medical colleges, adding that the process for appointment of 370 medical officers was also underway.The minister replied to MLAs who raised health-related issues, including the improper disposal of biomedical waste, non-functional oxygen plants in hospitals, and shortage of medical staff.
The House witnessed a heated exchange between the health minister and the opposition over MLA Arup Chatterjee’s demand for submission of an inquiry report during the budget session on five children getting HIV infection after blood transfusion in a district hospital in West Singhbhum. He also demanded better treatment for the affected children at govt cost, if needed.Ansari stated that the report would be provided soon, but Chatterjee and others persisted with their demand, leading to raised voices.Replying to a question raised by Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha, the health minister informed that govt was holding discussions with the Jharkhand Public Service Commission for the appointment of medical officers.MLA Sinha demanded repair of the defunct oxygen plants in Saheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital in Dhanbad and mentioned a shortage of manpower in the institute.MLA Chandardeo Mahto claimed that although there were biomedical waste treatment plants in Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Lohardaga, Adityapur, Pakur and Deoghar, they were not functioning properly. He added that the agency responsible for the work in Dhanbad was very influential and no one spoke against it. He also asked if monitoring of the agencies responsible for biomedical waste management was done, and whether action was taken where required. MLAs Mathura Mahto and Arup Chatterjee also raised similar demands.Ansari said that he would initiate an inquiry against the agency in Dhanbad and take action if needed. He stated that monitoring of bio-medical waste management was being done, adding that govt was also getting reports. He requested the MLAs to identify the agencies that were not working properly, adding that govt would take action against them.MLA Amit Mahto said that he could not put his question as the assembly’s National e-Vidhan Application was not working. The speaker said that after a technical glitch, the system started functioning at 7:30 am.The House also passed a budget of Rs 12,346.89 crore for the rural development department after a discussion. Members demanded that the suggestions given by MLAs on the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas should be included in its rules.Rural development minister Depika Pandey stated that PESA rules passed by the state govt were better than those of other states. She said that even if the name of MNREGA was changed, the state would fight against a reduction of mandays under the renamed scheme.The speaker adjourned the House till March 9.
