Improper disposal of waste in various areas of the federal capital was a serious health hazard for the people, causing various ailments, health experts said on Saturday.
According to Federal Government Poly Clinic (FGPC) Executive Director Dr Zahid, due to lack of a proper waste disposal system, residents of Islamabad were suffering from infectious diseases. Plastic waste accumulation on city roads, particularly in Faizabad and Pirwadhai areas, posed serious health threats, he added.
Dr Mian Tariq of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) told APP that the fumes emitting from burning plastic waste could cause serious respiratory problems.
“Open garbage dumps in city areas, including hospitals, have become a nuisance both for the residents and patients. The heaps of garbage produce foul odour making it difficult for the people to breathe,” he added.
Dr Tariq said the garbage dumps could become breeding grounds for bacteria, causing spread of diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, cholera, and dengue. The dumps had also become an eyesore.
Meanwhile, the residents have urged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to adopt a comprehensive policy for proper disposal of waste, particularly plastic bags to avoid respiratory diseases.
Waheed Khan, a senior citizen, said the residents of Faizabad and Sohan had to breathe in foul stench, emanating from garbage heaps. But the CDA seemed oblivious to the problem as heaps had a permanent source of nuisance for the residents since long, he added.
Mohsin Ali, a resident of I-9 Markaz, said the issue of waste disposal required immediate attention of the authorities. Sanitary workers used to collect the waste material from houses and then instead shifting the same to landfill site, dump it on roadsides.
An official of CDA municipal wing, on the other side, complained that the people themselves were responsible for the state of affairs. Instead of throwing solid waste in dustbins provided by the civic body, the people dumped it in the open, he added.
“We are doing our best but it is shared responsibility of our and the residents to keep cities and waste courses clean. The citizens must also fulfil their responsibility,” he said.
