From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 15: The ban on single-use plastic in all health centers in the State has come into effect from February 1. Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar has requested the people to support and cooperate with this move.
"Use of plastic products is harmful to health and environment. Hence the central government had imposed several restrictions on the use of plastic products through the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Act 2011 and Amendment Rules 2016.
Following this, the state government had also issued a notification on March 11, 2016 banning the use of plastic bags and other products,’’ the minister said.
In order to ensure strict compliance of this notification, Dr Sudhakar said the State Health Department has issued a circular dated February 1, 2023 to all District Health Officers, District Surgeons, AMOs and all of them have been instructed to follow certain measures in this regard.
All health centres in the state should be declared single-use plastic-free zones from February 1. The staff and officials should be instructed not to bring single use plastic products inside the office and hospital.
In this regard, boards should be installed in the premises of health centers and information should be provided to the public. Information about this should also be given in the offices of the district health officers and the websites related to the public health service.
The minister said security staff of health centers should be instructed to prevent bringing in all kinds of products including bottles, covers, bags made of single-use plastic.
The circular has also mandated that single-use plastic products should not be used in canteens of health centers and such products should not be given to customers, he said.
Dr Sudhakar said, "The central government, which has been emphasising on eco-friendly measures, has banned single-use plastic. In the view of public health and safety, measures have been taken to prevent the use of such plastic in all health centres. Public should avoid using single-use plastic products in the interest of environment and health. I appeal to people to cooperate with government and follow this rule in all health centers across the state."