The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought a report from the State to a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the authorities to install effluent treatment plants in all government hospitals in southern and central districts within its jurisdiction.A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel was hearing the petition filed by R. Manibharathi of Madurai. The petitioner said effluent treatment plants with adequate capacity should be installed in Government Medical College Hospitals, District Headquarters Hospitals, Taluk Hospitals, Upgraded Primary Health Centres and Primary Health Centres.The petitioner said biomedical waste from hospitals such as pathological waste, microbiological waste, blood contaminated materials, operation theatre waste, laboratory waste, discarded medicines, human tissues, body organs, dressings, sharps, contaminated plastics, liquid biomedical waste, blood, saliva, body fluids and other infectious materials is inherently hazardous.Unless handled strictly in accordance with scientific standards prescribed under law, it poses serious risks of spreading infectious diseases, contaminating groundwater, damaging the ecosystem and endangering the lives of hospital staff, patients, sanitation workers and the general public. Improper disposal of such sewage from hospitals contributes to antimicrobial resistance, occupational exposure to infectious pathogens and long-term environmental degradation, he said.He sought a direction to the authorities to conduct periodic inspections to verify the proper functioning of the effluent treatment plants in government hospitals and maintain reports. He also sought the strict implementation of the Guidelines for Green and Climate Resilient Healthcare Facilities. The court posted the matter for hearing to October 8. Published - September 04, 2026 08:16 pm IST