DOHA - Medical waste should be disposed of carefully as it poses a major risk to health professionals and sanitation workers who handle it. In fact, there are clear guidelines to be followed to dispose of medical waste, according to Dr Riyadh Awmi of the Ministry of Interior's Medical Services Department.
There has been a major stepping up in creating awareness of how to dispose of such waste, Awmi said. Not too long ago, regular garbage dumps were filled with human and animal waste, dirty rags, syringes and even blood, he stated.
Medical waste is now being classified into two categories hazardous and non-hazardous. Hazardous waste is being transported in bright yellow bags with tags clearly showing the dangers of the contents and the point of origin. Non-hazardous waste is being placed in black bags and tagged as well, Awmi stated.
Trucks ferrying the materials should be clearly marked as carrying medical waste and if at all, storage was required prior to disposal, it should not be for a period over 24 hours during summer and 48 hours in the winter months.
Medical staff have been advised to always wear protective clothing like smocks when dealing with bleeding patients and wounds should be covered as soon as possible. "Waste can be poisonous and flammable. In many cases, even inhaling the stench by workers can damage the lungs," he stated.
Suggested methods of disposal are through burning or burial. For hazardous and radioactive materials, disposal should be carried out under government supervision, he said. Chemicals can be mixed with other substances and neutralized before being sent into the sewage system.
© The Peninsula 2006
