A ONE-DAY workshop on medical waste management was conducted last Friday at Mahdia Hospital, in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni), by officials of the Environmental Health Department of the portfolio Ministry. The programme, executed in the Regional Boardroom at Mahdia, saw eight participants led by Principal Environmental Health Officers, Mr. Amarnauth Maraj and Mr. George Watkins.
Maraj indicated that there is draft legislation which will deal with the managing of disposal, and in such institutions where hazardous waste is being disposed, proper management must be implored.
He said his department has begun a regional drive on such and other practices and had visited a few regions to promote their objectives.
Maraj noted that the institution or organisation must first create a waste management plan with the guidelines of the Government and Ministry policies in disposing of medical waste.
When this is done, all persons involved must be clearly educated in the policy and execution of the plan as the organisation will be monitored by the Environmental Department of the Ministry and the Government.
Maraj said, while no medical plan is in place at Mahdia Hospital, after the seminar, the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Raghunauth will select members of a committee to begin the process.
Maraj, who had a firsthand look at the disposal pattern and other practices, said recommendations will be made to the Regional Administration.
About two weeks ago, Mahdia was visited by Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker, who condemned the dumpsite there and recommended that the Regional Administration immediately seek an alternative location to accommodate the new Government policy on waste disposal and landfilling, instead of dumping.
Mahdia, which has about 3,000 residences and a small business area, will see new methods of waste disposal.