The Commission on Audit has called the attention of Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez to address potential public health problems presented by inadequate waste storage/disposal system at the Laguna Medical Center.
In an audit report, the medical center was non-compliant with the provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 segregation of trash in properly marked receptacles to identify them as “compostable, recyclable, non-recyclable or special wastes.
Section 5.2 of the Health Care Waste Management Manual required sorting of waste in color-coded bags and containers to promote safe handling and disposal of hospital waste.
“Bags and containers for infectious waste should be marked with the international infectious substance symbol,” the report.
The manual provides that hospitals must have a proper storage area in a designated off-site treatment facility until the biodegradable and hazardous waste can be properly removed by designated transport contractor.
Under the rules, hospital waste that could present health hazards may be stored for no longer than two days. This is to minimize microbial growth, putrefaction (decay) and unpleasant odors.
If there are hospital wastes that are held for longer than two days, the Manual recommends application of chemical disinfectants or refrigeration at 4°C or lower.
Banned was the accumulation of waste within the point of production or within the hospital premises hence a program for regular collection and transportation is made mandatory as part of the health care management program.
“Ocular inspection made by the Audit Team together with the Waste Management Officer of the Medical Center disclosed that the hospital did not strictly observe the proper management of their wastes,” CoA said.
“Proper handling and storage of medical waste was not observed by the Laguna Medical Center…thereby posing serious threat to human health and environment,” it said.
Among the violations noted were: failure to sort radioactive, sharp and pressurized waste in color-coded containers; waste containers have no covers making them susceptible to animals rummaging by animals and insect infestation; containers of infectious waste were not marked with the international infectious substance symbol; and the Sewage treatment Plant and waste storage areas had no proper signage.
“We recommended that the Provincial Governor direct the Provincial Administrator to require the Laguna Medical Center to comply strictly with the provisions of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” COA said.