The High Court (HC) issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks 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 the rule, the court also asked the government’s explanation as to why it should not be ordered 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.

In response to a writ petition, the HC ordered health secretary and the director general of Department of Environment (DoE) to submit a report by July 22on 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.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal came up with the rule and order after hearing a writ petition filed by Md Ahmed Al Amin, a reporter of the daily Bangladesh Protidin, seeking necessary directives.