NONGSTOIN: A huge pile of biomedical waste like syringes, gloves, empty bottles of injections and blood collection tubes were dumped along NH-44E under Ksehkohlong village, West Khasi Hills creating panic among the villagers during the battle against the novel coronavirus.
Speaking to media persons, Sordar of Ksehkohlong village, Ioanis Lyngdoh informed that on Wednesday around 4 pm some local boys found three boxes of medical kit and immediately reported to the Village Defence Party (VDP) and the village authority.
The VDP along with the Sordar rushed to the spot and found that more than a thousand used needles, syringes, gloves, empty bottles of injections and blood collection tubes were dumped at the spot.
The Sordar along with VDP members barricaded the area until the officials from Health department arrived.
A complaint was lodged with the Deputy Commissioner following which he sent the DM&HO, Dr M Bareh, for investigation. The DM&HO and other doctors along with the Additional Deputy Commissioner, ADV Shira and officials from Nongstoin Police Station found that the three boxes containing the items were from a clinic at Nongstoin owned by Dr. P Lyngkhoi.
When contacted, Dr. Lyngkhoi admitted that these belonged to his clinic at Nongstoin and one of his staff had dumped the waste materials on the roadside despite clear instructions that these be disposed off in a safe place.
The Sordar expressed concern over incidents where people use his village as a dumping ground especially during this time of crisis. He has warned people plying on NH-44E against throwing plastic bottles, dead animals and garbage. An FIR has been filed in this regard.
