Nakuru Lacks Medical Waste Disposal System
Various facilities have poor-quality burning incinerators that churn out partially burnt medical waste, which are later buried in shallow pits
Residents of Nakuru County face heath risks posed by improper disposal of medical waste by health facilities, a health task force has said.
The team said the county lacks a proper medical waste disposal system.
James Tuitoek, who chaired the task force, yesterday said many health facilities bury their waste, while some burn it. They cited Molo Subcounty Hospital, where the site of the proposed Medical Training College is strewn with medical waste.
"Some of the medical waste had been excavated as the foundations of a building was being dug. Expiry dates between 1992-2005 were seen and captured on partially burnt vials,"Tuitoek said.
The team noted that most health facilities transport their medical waste to Langa Langa health centre for destruction.
"Various facilities house poor-quality burning chambers that churn out partially burnt medical waste, which are later disposed of by burying in shallow pits," Tuitoek said.
"This poses a grave threat to their health as they come into contact with blood-soaked cotton pieces, used syringes, remnants of flesh from surgery and other biomedical waste."
The task force recommended that the county invest in cost-effective disposal systems that include medium-capacity incinerators.
Source: The Star
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