China to punish harshly over medical waste disposal

In a bid to reduce pollution and protect public health, China has decided to impose harsh punishment on those who will fail to handle the medical waste properly.

Companies or government units that illegally collect, store, transport, and handle medical waste will have their licences revoked and heavily fined, reported Xinhua citing a statement from the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

The commission said it will strengthen the monitoring of medical waste disposal companies and units, and cooperate with environmental authorities to shut down substandard waste disposal facilities.

It will transfer those involved in environment pollution crimes to police authorities.

It also urged local authorities to establish a sound price system for medical waste procurement before the end of 2015 and improve their hazard-free disposal of medical waste.