IMAGE (IMA Goes Eco friendly) 

IMAGE (IMA Goes Eco friendly) is the scheme of Indian Medical Association, Kerala for scientific disposal of biomedical waste. IMAGE provides comprehensive service by providing training to hospital staff for segregation of biomedical waste in colour coded bags, collection of it from hospitals, transportation in specially designed covered vehicles, scientific treatment and final disposal in the common facility. The infectious waste generated from the hospitals is disposed off most scientifically within 48 hours without any problems to the public at the Common Biomedical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility at Palakkad in accordance with the provision of the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling ) Rules 1998 and with the approval and guidance of Kerala State Pollution Control Board. The facility was dedicated to the nation on 14th December 2003.

Palakkad Plant:

The plant is situated in the midst of 25 acres of land. There are two main buildings for the plant with a total plinth area more than 12,000 sq.ft. All the machinery including 4 incinerators, 2 autoclaves, 2 shredders and three 125 kw generators and other accessories are installed in it. There is a vehicle wash area of 2000 sq ft. and modern Effluent treatment Plant for disinfecting all the effluents coming out during treatment of the waste. The project has been started with an initial investment of more than Rs.2 crores with the help of commercial loan. The operating expense is met by charging a nominal fee as operational cost. The plant which has been working effectively for the last 10 years has attracted attention of so many from India and abroad. Government has also joined hands with IMAGE and 258 health care institutions have affiliated with IMAGE.

IMAGE is based on the concept of users sharing the cost. IMA plays the role of catalyst and lends its brand name. IMAGE handles more than two third of Kerala’s biomedical waste. Private healthcare institutions pay an affiliation fee of Rs.1500/- per bed or consolidated Rs.6000/- per clinic. Service charges amount to Rs.4.50 per bed per day. Government health care institutions are served through an MOU with Government of Kerala. No affiliation fee is levied and is charging only Rs. 3.50 per bed for 80% of the bed strength from them. IMAGE remains the signature of IMA in Kerala.

The additional  facility  for IMAGE at Kanjikode in Palakkad was inaugurated by the Past National President Dr. V.C. Velayudhan Pillai
on 05.10.2008. So now IMAGE has the capacity to manage the Biomedical waste generated by all the Health care Institutions in Kerala.

IMAGE has purchased 7 acres of land in Elavupalam Village in Trivandrum District and started preliminary works to commence the 2nd common facility. Even though the Kerala State Pollution control board has given consent to establish on 06-12-2012 the Forest Department is rasing objections against the establishment. There is a proposal to establish 3rd common facility at Cochin in co-operation with CREDAI Clean City Movement, the MOU has been signed on 15-10-2012.

The following is the present status of affiliation of IMAGE

Sector             No. of Healthcare                 No. of Beds
Private                   4562                                   62280
Government            258                                    24899
E.S.I.C.                   4                                         538
E.S.I.                      9                                         750

TOTAL                 4833                                    88467