By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The provincial government of Negros Occidental inaugurated its hospital waste disposal facility at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City last Friday, December 31, 2021.

The facility composed mainly of the Nitro Sterile Infectious Medical Waste Sterilizer and Shredder is worth P30 million.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and TLJPH Hospital Chief Dr. Mary Anne Maestral led the switch on ceremony of the facility.

Lacson said the facility is the first of its kind in the province.

The medical waste shredder will address environmental issues in the disposal of hospital waste, specifically infectious waste from TLJPH and other capitol-operated hospitals in the province.

Lacson said the facility can sterilize and shred 150 kilos of infectious waste like personal protective equipment, syringes, needles, injection bottles, and face masks per hour.

It can also treat and disinfect medical wastes in 10 minutes at a temperature required by the Department of Health.

“If private hospitals would want to avail of the services of the facility for their infectious waste, the provincial government is willing to discuss the arrangement with them,” he said.

Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator, said the facility is ideal for the volume of medical waste produced at TLJPH, which can reach up to 500 kilos per day.

Diaz further stated other government hospitals in the province can also bring their infectious waste to be treated and shredded at TLJPH.

Silay City Mayor Mark Golez has already asked permission from the governor to use the facility for the disposal of infectious waste from health centers in the city and barangays./DGB, WDJ