DH Bandipora Orders Reshuffle, Seeks Explanation Over Burning of Expired Medicines

Convener News Desk

Bandipora, Jan 13: In swift administrative action following reports on the burning of expired medicines inside District Hospital Bandipora, the Medical Superintendent has issued key orders reshuffling responsibilities and seeking accountability from officials concerned.

As per the official order, Altaf Hussain, Pharmacist and In-charge Stores, has been attached to the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora with immediate effect and relieved from District Hospital Bandipora. He has been directed to hand over complete charge of the stores to Reyaz-ul-Haq Bhat, Pharmacist, without delay. The handover–takeover process is to be carried out strictly as per rules under the supervision of Dr Umair Qayoom, Medical Officer (Stores).

In a related development, the Medical Superintendent has sought a written explanation from Shri Gh. Mustafa Ganie, Sanitary Inspector, over the involvement of sanitary workers in the burning and disposal of expired medicines within the hospital premises. The order notes that the participation of sanitary workers in such activity constitutes a serious violation of the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, which clearly stipulate that disposal of medical waste must be carried out only by authorised and trained personnel due to significant health, safety and environmental risks.

Holding the Sanitary Inspector responsible in his supervisory capacity for failure to ensure compliance with the prescribed rules and standard operating procedures, the Medical Superintendent has directed him to submit a written explanation within 24 hours, detailing the circumstances under which sanitary workers were allowed at the site.

The administrative action follows the issue being highlighted by KNS, which triggered public concern and led to the constitution of a probe committee. The developments indicate that the hospital administration has begun fixing responsibility and enforcing accountability in the controversial case of burning expired medicines at District Hospital Bandipora.