Cebu City execs seek report on medical waste disposal

BEACH LITTER: Used syringes and other hospital waste are scattered on a beach in Toledo City, Cebu province, in this photo taken in 2021. (Photo by MANISA BARBADILLO / Contributor)

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — With the pandemic still raging, city officials said they wanted to know how the local health department had been handling infectious medical waste disposed of by hospitals and households.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said medical waste, such as used face masks, syringes, COVID-19 testing kits, and empty vaccine bottles, posed a risk to people and the environment if not properly handled.

The Cebu City Council this week passed a resolution, which was sponsored by Dizon, asking the City Health Department (CHD) to submit a report on the disposal of infectious waste in the city.

In 2021, the city council passed an ordinance that penalizes people who fail to properly dispose of their face masks and other protective equipment as this would contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

According to Dizon, the volume of medical waste has increased as the country continues to battle the pandemic. The official, however, did not provide figures on the volume of infectious waste generated by hospitals and communities in the city since the pandemic was declared in March 2020.

In its ordinance, the council advised the public to destroy used face masks by shredding or cutting them into pieces so these could not be recycled and used anymore.

Face masks can also be placed in a container, disinfected, and labeled as “used” before these are thrown in designated bins.

Fines

The city council also prohibits the improper disposal of face shields, surgical gloves, and other types of personal protective equipment.

Dizon said he was bothered by a photograph taken by EcoWaste Coalition where medical waste like face masks and containers of alcohol and hand sanitizer were seen on the streets and waterways.

According to the ordinance, people caught throwing medical waste improperly will be fined P1,000 to P3,000.

Establishments that violate the ordinance will be asked to pay a fine of P3,000 to P5,000 or their business permits will be canceled.

—NESTLE SEMILLA

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