RESIDENTS of 110 Carmichael Street are currently facing a health threat with the alleged failure of the neighbouring Woodlands Hospital to properly dispose of their medical waste, leaving loopholes for infecting the surrounding atmosphere.During a visit to the neighbourhood, this publication discovered that residents are currently suffering from congestion, because of their reluctance to open their windows due the obnoxious smell which emanates from the area where the waste is dumped. Contacted on the issue, an official of the hospital said they would comment on the matter today.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, one resident said that “it does be ridiculous when they come to collect the things from at the back, the bloodwater smells up the place; and not just that, the bins which are supposed to be sealed shut are left open on a daily basis making the scent escape when the sun is out.”

When asked if they had approached the administrator, one of the residents said, “When we approach he, he say that it is a medical waste, it is not exposed, but we say it is not supposed to be open, but if you look right now it’s open, and apart from that it is supposed to come through their side of the passageway but they never listen to us.”
Residents also referred to the fact that they have children and grandchildren, who at times get nauseous, forcing them to always have their windows closed, and sometimes they neither can cook nor eat.
One of the residents, who lives with her four-year-old daughter, told the Chronicle that, “my daughter fell sick the other day but thankfully it didn’t last long.”

Meanwhile, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Town Clerk Royston King disclosed that “We have received several reports about the improper disposal of medical waste from some medical institutions.” He acknowledged that there are some institutions and other persons who have been dumping medical waste improperly in places they ought not to, which can be classed as a severe medical hazard.

INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED
“We will launch an immediate investigation into the disposal practices of all of our medical institutions within the city, beginning with the one that is now in question (Woodlands Hospital),” King said. He said further that “at the moment we have been working on a mechanism to audit the waste-disposal practices of corporations, which will start in Regent Street.” King disclosed that cards will be placed in conspicuous places in all stores. Therefore, all the waste-disposal contractors will sign onto the card after every pickup, while management officers at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will countersign the card, so it could be properly recorded.