TAUSEEF AHMAD
BANDIPORA, Jan 13:
A serious controversy has erupted at the District Hospital Bandipora after bundles of allegedly expired medicines were found being openly burned inside the hospital premises, raising alarming questions about biomedical waste management and public safety. The incident came to light after a video showing the burning of large quantities of medicines went viral on social media on Tuesday, triggering widespread concern among residents, health activists, and environmental experts.
The video, accessed by Kashmir Despatch, shows packets and cartons of medicines engulfed in flames in an open area located behind the hospital’s oxygen plant. The footage clearly captures smoke billowing into the air as strips and boxes of medicines are destroyed within the hospital compound itself—an act that experts say violates established biomedical waste disposal norms.
Locals and hospital visitors expressed shock over the visuals, terming the act both dangerous and irresponsible. “Burning medicines in the open, especially within a district hospital, is extremely hazardous. The smoke released from pharmaceutical waste contains toxic chemicals that can seriously harm patients, hospital staff, and people living nearby,” a local resident said. He further alleged that this was not the first such incident and that similar practices had been followed earlier as well.
Although Kashmir Despatch could not independently verify whether the medicines seen in the video were indeed expired, the manner in which they were destroyed has sparked outrage. Under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, expired or unused medicines must be handed over to authorised biomedical waste handlers or disposed of through scientifically approved incineration facilities. Open-air burning of pharmaceutical waste is strictly prohibited due to the risk of environmental pollution, toxic emissions, and possible misuse of medicines that may still be in circulation.
Sources revealed that the burning took place on Tuesday and that after the video went viral, hospital authorities hurriedly tried to destroy the remaining stock by spraying sanitizer over the medicines, allegedly to prevent further scrutiny. According to these sources, a larger quantity of medicines was originally meant to be destroyed, but once the incident became public, the remaining stock was allegedly concealed.
Repeated attempts to seek an explanation from the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora were unsuccessful, as he declined to comment on the matter. However, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora, Dr Ishtiyaq, confirmed that disciplinary action has been initiated against the concerned storekeeper. “Action has been taken against the storekeeper responsible for this lapse,” he said, without elaborating further.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, also acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and said she would look into the matter.
In response to the public outrage following the viral video, the Office of the Medical Superintendent has constituted a seven-member inquiry committee to conduct a detailed probe into the incident. As per an official order issued on January 13, 2026, the committee has been tasked with examining all records related to the procurement, storage, condemnation, and disposal of medicines at the hospital. It will also verify whether the procedures followed were in accordance with the General Financial Rules and the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The committee has further been directed to fix responsibility for any violations or lapses and to submit its report within seven days.
The incident has once again highlighted serious gaps in biomedical waste management in public health institutions, underscoring the urgent need for stricter monitoring, accountability, and adherence to environmental and public health safety norms in Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare system.
