Date:14/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/14/stories/2005021401571300.htm

Back Manipal group signs MoU to set up waste management centre

Our Bureau

The centre will showcase world-class biomedical waste management (including segregation, collection and disposal), effluent treatment and environmental management system.

Bangalore , Feb. 13

MANIPAL Education and Medical Group (MEMG) has signed an understanding with Deuttsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), Germany, to establish a `centre of excellence in waste management' at Manipal Hospital here.

The centre will develop intellectual properties in the field of environment management, while Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) will offer diploma courses in environmental and waste management.

The centre will showcase world-class biomedical waste management (including segregation, collection and disposal), effluent treatment and environmental management system (EMS).

Dr Ranjan Pai, Chief Executive Officer, MEMG, said, "This new initiative is in line with our philosophy to create world class process, systems and quality within Manipal Group".

Dr Jurgen Bischoff, Director, GTZ - ASEM said, "A co-operation of this kind with private sector institution such as Manipal and public sector institutions such as GTZ is very important to tackle environment issues. This cooperation is in line with the adoption of the charter of the World Summit on Sustainability held in Johannesburg in 2002. Only though such cooperation of private and public institutions, environment protection can be achieved across borders."

This centre will be open to all hospitals in India for visits and the lessons learnt will be available as case studies.

The centre will conduct workshops, seminars and training across the country to create awareness about waste management.

Manipal Group plans to play the role of advisory and assist other hospitals to establish similar waste management systems.

The benefits of the new system include water saving and consumption minimisation. The system will work for both solid and liquid wastes.

The new system will also upgrade the existing systems at Manipal Hospital for certification as per ISO 14000 protocols.

The centre will develop case studies, and organise adaptation of teaching material and curricula for students.

This will be used by MAHE to offer diploma courses in subjects such as biomedical waste management including segregation, collection and disposal; effluent treatment including collection, treatment and disposal and environment management system (EMS) implementation and operation.