Sir,

I would like to bring to your kind notice that the Organisers of one of the recent Exhibitions at Maharaja’s College Grounds have failed to follow the waste disposal/clearance protocol.

I visited an Expo with my family on a weekend and while I was  engaged in buying the entrance tickets,  I noticed my 5-year-old son had  picked a blue coloured object out of curiosity and it had pricked him. On closer examination I realised he had picked up lancet needle and accidentally pricked himself.

Immediately, I washed his finger with running water kept at the entrance and inspected the site. I was shocked to see many more lancets disposed on the ground along with Accu-check strips, probably used during free health camps.  Whoever has conducted the medical check-up camp, it is their  utmost responsibility to take adequate measures to dispose dangerous medical wastes.

Now, because of the prick caused by irresponsible  medical camp organisers my child has to take anti-retroviral medication  and suffer the side affects.

It has also caused our family severe anxiety as we contacted more than a dozen doctors from Physicians, Paediatricians to Specialists in infection control, especially HIV, regarding preventive measures for the same.

In this regard, I have lodged a complaint with the District Health Officer (DHO), Mysuru, for further investigations.

If not checked now, such negligence by medical camp organisers will become a serious threat to public safety.

Hence, I urge the authorities concerned to take necessary action against people responsible for this act and prevent recurrences of such careless disposal of sharp, dangerous medical wastes.

 – Dr. G. Aruna, Periodontist, Mysuru, 3.1.2020

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