17 teaching hospitals in Andhra Pradesh lack sewage treatment plants; ₹83 crore plan drawn up

Waste generated at hospitals should be segregated and disposed of as per the guidelines, says Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav. | Photo Credit: File Photo Biomedical waste management and sewage treatment should be carried out in all government hospitals as per the regulations, said Andhra Pradesh Minister for Health, Medical and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav.In a review meeting with health officials on Saturday (July 25, 2026), the Minister expressed displeasure over the poor implementation of the regulations at government hospitals. He asked the officials to ensure that biomedical waste was collected and disposed of properly.Officials told the Minister that 400 grams of biomedical waste is generated a day from a single hospital bed. The Government General Hospitals in the State produce 13 lakh kg of biomedical waste, according to a release issued by the Health Department.The Minister said the waste generated at the hospitals should be segregated and disposed of in accordance with the guidelines. Every hospital should comply with these rules in letter and spirit. The entire process should be monitored through CCTV cameras, and barcode tracking should be introduced to ensure accountability, he said.The Minister also expressed displeasure over the poor management of wastewater in hospitals. He said that among secondary hospitals, only the Nuzvid and Banaganapalle area hospitals have Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). Of the 40 teaching and super-speciality hospitals, 17 do not have STPs, he said.He asked the officials to ensure that all 17 teaching hospitals, 54 area hospitals and nine district hospitals have STPs within 10 months. Installing the plants is estimated to cost ₹83 crore.The Minister said the unnecessary crowding at government hospitals should be reduced. In intensive care units and hospital wards, visitors will be allowed only during designated hours, he said. Published - July 26, 2026 11:55 am IST