Clinical wastes and indeed just about all other waste streams are managed poorly right across the Indian sub-continent.

A good friend living and working in Goa tells tales of almost daily waste mismanagement, waste-related crime and, more often than not, relatively simple problems that can have far reaching consequences solely due to lack of joined-up waste management systems.

A report from Kerela, of clinical wastes dumped at the roadside, is typical. Wastes have been bagged but dumped, or perhaps dropped accidentally, at the roadside, creating a problem for those using the road, and those tasked with the clean-up. But the TV news report shows much of the wastes smoke stained but essentially unburned.  Has someone tried to do the right thing, but been thwarted by a fundamental lack of resources?