ALFRED LEDUM
A warning has gone out to healthcare providers operating in Rivers State against indiscriminate dumping of used medical disposables.
Such unapproved disposals have been linked to the outbreak of preventable diseases and damages the environment.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, Bro Felix Obuah, who issued the warning in Port Harcourt, frowned at the situation which he described as both “indiscriminate and crude”, saying this method adopted by some healthcare personnel in the handling and disposal of healthcare wastes, is dangerous and has increased the risk of spread of diseases in the state.
Bro. Obuah has, therefore, in a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Wednesday, warned that the Agency would not tolerate or hesitate to sanction, close down, and prosecute any hospital, clinic, pharmaceutical stores, laboratory, maternity home, mortuary and other healthcare providers who fail to dispose of their wastes in line with the provisions of the extant laws on healthcare waste management.
In a bid to ensure global best practices in healthcare waste management in the state, Bro. Obuah announced that RIWAMA was organizing a one-day training programme for all healthcare providers and facility owners on Thursday, 12thNovember, 2020 at RIWAMA premises, KM6 Rumume, Port Harcourt by 9am.
The training, which the statement said is mandatory for all healthcare providers in Rivers State, will have certificates issued to all participants in line with the compliance strategy the Agency has put in place.
Consequently, healthcare operators expected at the training are to register at the Office of the SA, Private service providers, RIWAMA.
