STAFF REPORTER

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why it should not be directed to take necessary action to protect environment regarding medical waste disposal, recycling and transportation for the safeguard of nature and health care of the citizens.

It also asked the government why it should not be directed to establish effluent treatment plant (ETP) individually or centrally in every hospital, diagnostic and other medical service stations for disposal and recycling medical waste.

In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal came with the rule.

It also asked the health secretary and the director general of Department of Environment (DoE) to submit a report by July 22 on the progress over forming the authority in every administrative division as per the relevant rules for managing and processing of the medical waste.

Under the Medical Waste Management and Processing Rules, a three-member authority will be formed headed by divisional director of the directorate of the department of health services for giving licenses to the proper persons for management of medical waste.

Md Ahmed Al Amin, a reporter of a national Bangla daily, filed the petition with the HC recently seeking necessary directives over the matter.