THE regional administration of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) has refuted allegations by the Alliance For Change (AFC)  about the dumping of sharps, needles and syringes at the Onderneeming dump site on the Essequibo Coast. It was responding to an article headlined, ‘Dumping of medical waste near Essequibo village continuing, says Hughes- warns of disaster happening’ in the Stabroek News of Tuesday, January 22.
The regional administration said the publication is inaccurate and does not paint a truthful picture about the disposal of waste from the hospital.
A release said, at no time are sharps, needles and syringes dumped carelessly at the Onderneeming dumpsite.
A visit to the hospital on Wednesday revealed that all sharps and needles, along with syringes, are carefully stored in small boxes with labels which are locked in special metal boxes with a padlock awaiting burning, which is done twice weekly in the incinerator located near to where the metal box is situated.
The area where the sharps and needles are stored is also fenced with a steel gate that is locked. A visit to the site in company of the Hospital Steward, Omkar Persaud and Chariman of the Riverstown/Annandale Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Bash Narine and two officers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that residents of Onderneeming were also dumping garbage along the road to the dumpsite and in the area where garbage from the hospital is dumped.

Partly burned
Hospital Steward Persaud said the garbage, which was partly burned, will be buried.
According to him, front end loaders were expected from the regional administration to help digging ponds to burn the garbage.   
Narine  said the AFC is not truthful about the situation and should speak to officers of the government to know what is taking place before making such statements.
He said Red Village, which was crafted in the jungle, is a partnership project between Food for the Poor and the Lil Red Foundation and it is not at all being affected by the dumpsite as stated by the AFC’s  Hughes.
Narine said the claim by Hughes and his party, that syringes, needles, bloody gauze and human body parts on the heap are dumped by the Suddie Hosptial, is not the truth.
“What Hughes should have done was to warn the residents of Red Village and Onderneeming not to dump garbage along the  road to the dumpsite,” he said.
The situation at the disposal site is not alarming to the extent that it will require the intervention of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) as Hughes is suggesting.
Hughes should also understand that there is no medical crisis at the Suddie Hospital that is creating a national threat.
“There is no disaster waiting to happen,” Region 2 Chairman  Parmanand Persaud declared, noting that, at no time sharps, needles or syringes are dumped carelessly at Onderneeming.  
He said the situation is not a crisis one as Hughes is claiming.
“Probably Hughes is building a mountain out of a mole hill,” the Chairman remarked.