DC Soreng Chairs District Level Zoonotic Committee, Reviews Clinical Establishments and Biomedical Waste Management
Soreng, July 29 (IPR): District Collector Soreng, Mr Dhiraj Subedi today chaired the meeting of the District Level Zoonotic Committee (DLZC) at the District Administrative Centre, Soreng. He also presided over the meeting of the District Registering Authority for the Registration of Clinical Establishments and reviewed the implementation of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 through a meeting of the District Level Committee.
In his address, the DC emphasised the need to ensure adequate safety measures and protective equipment for all frontline workers engaged in public health and veterinary services. He directed all concerned departments to strengthen inter-departmental coordination, enhance surveillance and reporting mechanisms, and intensify public awareness campaigns on zoonotic diseases and biomedical waste management.
He further instructed the committee to conduct at least one comprehensive inspection every year of all registered government and private clinical establishments to ensure compliance with statutory norms and quality standards.
Stressing the importance of preparedness, he urged departments to maintain readiness for timely response to disease outbreaks, ensure proper disposal of biomedical waste, organise regular capacity-building programmes for healthcare personnel, and submit periodic compliance reports for effective monitoring and review.
Initially, the meeting commenced with a welcome address by the CMO (Soreng) Dr Smriti Rai. In her address, she highlighted the importance of creating awareness among the public and frontline workers on zoonotic diseases, referring to the experiences of COVID-19 and avian influenza cases reported in the district. She stressed the need for continuous sensitisation programmes and greater community participation through coordinated efforts among line departments under the One Health approach.
During the meeting, DSO (District Hospital Gyalshing), Dr Eden Jamyang Bhutia, presented an overview of the zoonotic disease situation in Soreng district. She briefed the members on the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the District Level Zoonotic Committee, which include advising district authorities on zoonotic disease prevention and control, identifying priority zoonotic diseases, coordinating with the State-level Committee, strengthening inter-sectoral networking, and promoting the responsibilities of all departments under the One Health approach.
She informed the house that, based on data from August 2025 to July 2026, the district recorded 50 cases of scrub typhus, 846 dog bite cases, 15 snake bite cases, and 507 cases involving other animal bites. She emphasised the importance of surveillance, timely reporting, and coordinated response to minimise the public health impact of zoonotic diseases.
Joint Director (AH&VS) Dr Kunzang Palmu Bhutia, made a presentation on avian influenza, explaining its causes, modes of transmission, clinical signs observed in affected birds, and the extent of the outbreak in the district. She also highlighted the importance of surveillance, biosecurity measures, early detection, and prompt reporting to prevent further spread of the disease.
Joint Director (Sanitation) Mrs Sabitri Gurung presented on the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. She explained that the rules were introduced to strengthen infection prevention and control, improve occupational safety, protect the environment, and streamline biomedical waste management practices. She outlined the committee's responsibilities, including monitoring the implementation of the Rules, reviewing segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of biomedical waste, ensuring the availability of colour-coded bins, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other waste management materials.
The meeting also reviewed the roles and functions of the District Registering Authority for Clinical Establishments. The committee discussed its mandate to process applications for registration and renewal of clinical establishments, verify compliance with prescribed minimum standards, conduct inspections whenever required, monitor registered establishments, review cases of violations and recommend appropriate action, maintain records of registered clinical establishments, and ensure effective implementation of the Clinical Establishments Act and Rules.
The meeting concluded with an open house discussion, during which the members resolved to strengthen coordination and collaboration among all concerned departments for effective implementation of the committee's decisions and the successful adoption of the One Health approach across the district.
The meeting was also attended by ADC (Development) Mr Ongdi Sherpa, ASP (Soreng) Mr Parsu Ram Sharma, MEO (SNP) Mr Roshan Sharma, RO (Wildlife) Mr Krishna P Dahal, Veterinary Officers Dr Julina Subba and Dr Kanta Basnett and District Health Educator, IEC Cell, Soreng PHC, Mr Awiral Subba.