The Environment Management Plan addresses a wider range of environmental concerns beyond traditional hospital boundaries. The plan points to the need for a more holistic approach to environmental management, encompassing factors like vehicular pollution, traffic congestion, encroachments, and noise pollution, in addition to internal waste management practices.
While traditional EMPs primarily focus on compliance with statutes like the Environment (Protection) Act, the emergence of new technologies and associated pollutants necessitates a broader perspective. The Environment Management Plan For Hospitals emphasizes the impact of external factors on the hospital environment and the need for integrated mitigation strategies.
Key Environmental Challenges and Mitigation Measures
Air Pollution: Diesel generator (DG) sets, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and open cooking contribute to air pollution. Mitigation measures include DG set upgrades, use of approved fuels, mechanized cleaning, and prohibition of open cooking around hospitals. Air quality monitoring is also recommended.
Vehicular Pollution and Congestion: Heavy vehicular traffic, including public and private vehicles, within and around hospitals contributes significantly to pollution and congestion. The analysis suggests promoting electric vehicles, regulating vehicular movement, and improving traffic management plans both inside and outside the hospital. Designated parking, multi-level parking, and RFID tags are also proposed.
Encroachments: Undesignated parking, informal shops, hawkers, and unauthorized structures contribute to pollution and congestion. The analysis recommends reorganizing parking, implementing smart streetscaping, and relocating encroachments. It also suggests providing adequate canteen facilities to discourage informal vendors.
Overcrowding: Overcrowding due to high patient volumes and accompanying attendants exacerbates environmental issues. Mitigation strategies include online appointments, queue management systems, increased registration counters, and improved referral policies. The “one patient, one attendant” policy is also recommended.
Lack of Green Cover: Inadequate green spaces contribute to heat island effects and reduced air quality. The analysis suggests regular plantation drives, vertical gardens, and comprehensive landscape development plans.
Noise Pollution: DG sets, patient crowds, vehicle noise, and heavy equipment contribute to noise pollution. Mitigation measures include acoustic enclosures for DG sets, “no honking” zones, and soundproofing for heavy equipment.
Prohibited and Regulated Activities
The EMP also addresses prohibited activities like smoking, alcohol consumption, and open defecation, as well as regulated activities such as waste management, building maintenance, and DG set emissions. It provides specific mitigation measures for each.
Waste Management
It also covers various types of waste management, including biomedical waste, solid waste, liquid waste, e-waste, and radioactive waste, emphasizing the need for compliance with statutory requirements.
Additionally, it underscores the growing recognition of hospitals as significant contributors to environmental pollution and the urgent need for comprehensive EMPs that address both internal and external factors. By implementing the suggested mitigation measures, hospitals can significantly reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to a healthier environment for patients, staff, and the surrounding community.
