HC rule on setting up medical waste refineries

The High Court issued on Sunday a rule asking concerned authorities to show causes why they should not be directed to set up waste refineries at medical institutions and form waste management bodies in the country's every administrative divisions, reports BSS.

An HC division bench comprising Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal issued the rule after the initial hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Al-Amin, a journalist.

The litigation was lodged with the High Court citing a report on keeping medical waste in open space published in an English daily.

Lawyer Syed Mahidul Kabir moved the writ while Deputy Attorney General Motahar Hossain Sazu appeared for the state in the court.

Forest and environment secretary, health secretary, home secretary, Department of Environment director general (DG), Directorate General of Health Services DG and Bangladesh Private Clinic and Diagnostic Owners' Association secretary general have been made respondents to the rule.

The court also asked the respondents to submit a progress report on July 22 on forming waste management authority while it fixed July 26 for further hearing.