DOH probes trucks dumping toxic hospital waste in landfill

CAPAS, Tarlac, -- The Department of Health is now investigating last week’s attempt to dump untreated toxic medical waste at a landfill here saying it will do its part in protecting the environment by ensuring responsible disposal of hospital waste.

DOH-National Capital Region Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said the DOH is currently investigating the liability of the said hospitals in the reported attempt by Chevalier Enviro Services to dump their medical waste in Metro Clark Landfill in Capas.

At least 12 private hospitals in Metro Manila are included in the DOH investigation for being the source of the reported attempt to dump the untreated medical waste in the landfill.

Last week, authorities intercepted the two trucks of medical waste owned by CES, which attempted to dump hazardous medical waste from the 12 hospitals without undergoing the necessary processing in its waste treatment facility in Parañaque City.

“We now assessing the contract entered by these hospitals with Chevalier Enviro Services require them to at least disinfect the medical waste before it is disposed,” Janairo explained.

The DOH earlier submitted samples of the recovered medical waste to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for analysis.

Medical wastes like discarded human and animal anatomical parts, disposable syringes, outdated and contaminated drugs, are considered hazardous to public health since it may spread infections and expose people to poisonous substances.

Janairo said the 12 hospitals may face the cancellation of their licenses if it will be proven they failed to disinfect the said medical wastes before transferring to CES.

He declined to disclose the name of the hospitals due to the pending investigation.

Meanwhile, Janairo said the CES may face sanctions from DENR, which includes a fine, closure, and even imprisonment if it will be proven the company neglected it to properly treat medical wastes.

He said this is the first time DoH have received such a report since each hospital usually has its own health waste management officer to ensure medical waste will be properly disposed.
In line with this development, DoH Secretary Enrique Ona ordered DoLE-NRC to intensify it monitoring on the waste disposal of public and government hospitals to prevent similar incidence.

“Hospitals and public health care units are supposed to safeguard the health of the community. They should not be irresponsible in disposing their health care waste as it can pose an even greater threat to health than the original diseases they carry,” Ona said.