BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The P30 million hospital waste disposal facility at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Negros Occidental, is now ready for use after Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led its ceremonial powering up on December 31.
Lacson said that the medical waste shredder will address environmental issues in disposal of hospital waste, specifically infectious waste from TLJPH and other Capitol-managed hospitals in Negros Occidental.
Lacson said that the facility, which is composed of the Nitro Sterile Infectious Medical Waste Sterilizer, can sterilize and shred 150 kilos per hour of infectious waste, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), syringes, needles, injection bottles, as well as face masks.
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 the services of the facility for their infectious waste, the provincial government is willing to discuss an arrangement with them, Lacson said.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz also said the facility is ideal for the volume of medical waste produced at TLJPH, which can reach up to 500 kilos per day.
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.
Hospital waste is a concern if it is not managed well, Lacson said, stressing also that the project is part of upgrading and improving the facilities of the Provincial Hospital, aimed at further improving public health services.*
