Dr. Francis Nyagbenu, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has said permits of health facilities whose operations pose a risk to public health could be revoked as stipulated in the EPA Act 1994, Act 490.
He said those facilities that were operating below acceptable environmental standards could also be suspended or would not have their permits renewed as specified in the Act.
[contextly_sidebar id=”OKCIeU7nD02zT86U0cdtFnNTLxXyYmxS”]Dr. Nyagbenu gave the caution in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after a day’s workshop for health workers responsible for health care in waste management (HCWM), in healthcare establishments from 14 Municipalities/Districts in the region.
The workshop, second in the in the series ,was organised and funded by the EPA as part of its environmental impact assessment in the health sector, and health care waste management duties at Abesim, near Sunyani.
It was attended by 55 participants, and it was aimed at upgrading their knowledge and skills in the area of HCWM.
They were taking through policy, legal and regulatory framework for healthcare waste management, impacts of inadequate HCWM and safety among others.
He advised participants to work in an environmentally-friendly manner that is free from any treat to the environment and the public, and added that improper health care waste management systems also affect environmental quality, soil, water and causes air pollution.
Dr. Nyagbenu cited that a 2001 survey to assess health facilities in Ghana indicated that management structures were below acceptable standards and also posed risk to human health.
He stated that landfills could contaminate drinking water if they were not properly constructed, whilst trenching of HCW might also contaminate groundwater, adding that leakage from poorly managed landfills could contaminate surface water.
Dr. Nyagbenu advised the public to use pedal litter bins to ensure the safety of waste and avoid contaminations, adding that everybody would be at risk if the environment is not protected.
He stated that external storage sites should be secured and roofed against rodents, insects and birds, which could spread infections to nearby houses around hospitals, and again ensure that health care waste was not exposed to be accessible to scavengers.
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Source: GNA