Medical Facility in Sharjah Closed for Violating Executive Council's Decision on Management of Medical Waste

Sharjah-UAE: 04 April, 2012 - His Excellency Khalifa Al Shaibani, General Manager of 'Wekaya', a medical waste collection company, today announced that all medical facilities operating in Sharjah must comply with stringent health and safety standards to ensure that the emirate remains free of hazardous medical wastes for the ultimate safety of its medical workers and the community at large.

He added that 'Wekaya' works within this ambitious objective in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Weyaka is a premier medical waste management company in Sharjah that acts as the official service provider for the safe and compliant collection, treatment and disposal of medical waste produced by healthcare establishments in Sharjah. It additionally provides training services for staff in the medical sector to enhance the safe handling of medical waste.

Al Shaibani's comments came on the back of the closure of a medical facility earlier this week by the Economic Development Department of Sharjah and Sharjah Municipality for violating the Executive Council's decision on managing medical waste.

Al Shaibani added: "Sharjah, which operates under the Healthy Cities Programme of the World Health Organization (WHO), demonstrates viable environmental, social, cultural and economic characteristics that comply with the programme's criteria. WHO's endorsement makes it imperative for Sharjah to protect the environment from the risks of medical waste. Wekaya remains committed to contributing to the emirate's healthcare objectives."

Wekaya provides services to more than 450 health facilities operating in Sharjah, including 32 accredited facilities under the Ministry of Health in the city of Sharjah and the Eastern and Central region. In addition to successfully training 535 workers in the health sector to guide them on safe handling of medical waste, Wekaya has established a dedicated station to treat medical waste in Sharjah. A first-of-its-kind in the UAE, the station handled 53 tons of medical waste during March 2012.

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Sharjah Media Centre was established by the Amiri Decree No. 5, 2011, issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The Centre's role can be summarized by saying that it is the voice with which the Emirate of Sharjah addresses the world.

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© Press Release 2012