Lam Dong: Strengthening the management of medical waste.

SKĐS - Lam Dong province is implementing many comprehensive solutions in medical waste management, from upgrading treatment systems to reducing single-use plastics, in order to build "Green - Clean - Beautiful" medical facilities.

According to a report by the Lam Dong Department of Health , the province currently has dozens of provincial-level general and specialized hospitals, 29 regional health centers, and more than 120 commune and ward health stations, along with thousands of private medical facilities. This is a widespread healthcare system that regularly generates a large amount of medical waste, requiring a strict, unified, and highly preventative management mechanism.

In recent years, most provincial hospitals and regional health centers have invested in centralized wastewater treatment systems. These treatment facilities all employ biological technology combined with disinfection before discharge into the environment, ensuring compliance with national technical standards. From 2021 to 2025, the total amount of medical wastewater generated in the province reached over 2.9 million m³, of which 98.82% was treated to meet standards before being discharged into the environment.

Regarding medical solid waste, sorting and collection are carried out in accordance with regulations. Over 11.3 million tons of hazardous medical waste were processed 100% according to standards. Ordinary medical waste, totaling over 18.7 million tons during the same period, was also sorted at source and contracted out to urban environmental units for collection, transportation, and proper processing. Recyclable waste was stored separately and transferred to licensed recycling businesses in accordance with the law.

The Lam Dong Department of Health is implementing a plan for training on environmental protection, medical waste management, infection control, and building green, clean, and beautiful healthcare facilities in 2025.

In hospitals and health centers, hazardous waste is collected and stored in specialized warehouses, then transferred to legally authorized entities for processing, preventing prolonged accumulation or release into the surrounding environment. Waste management is integrated into internal inspections and periodic monitoring to promptly detect errors, especially in the operation of wastewater treatment systems and solid waste treatment equipment.

Alongside professional work, the movement to reduce plastic waste in healthcare has been widely implemented. Hospitals and medical centers in the area have signed commitments to reduce the use of single-use plastics, prioritize environmentally friendly materials, and gradually replace non-biodegradable products. This activity is linked to the "Building Green, Clean, and Beautiful Healthcare Facilities" movement, which has been strongly supported by healthcare staff, patients, and their families. Many units have created green spaces, increased regular cleaning, contributing to improving the image and quality of healthcare services.

Mr. Le Van Hong, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Health, said that the health sector continues to direct units to maintain and expand the environmental sanitation model associated with the criteria of "Green - Clean - Beautiful". These requirements aim to ensure that waste sorting at source is carried out seriously and correctly according to regulations for both medical waste and household waste.

Strengthening the management of medical waste within healthcare facility premises.

To enhance the management of medical waste within healthcare facilities, on July 29th, the Lam Dong Department of Health issued document No. 380/SYT-NVY requesting healthcare units within the sector to effectively implement the following contents:

Strictly comply with regulations on medical waste management according to the Law on Environmental Protection; Government Decree detailing certain provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection; Circular of the Ministry of Health regulating medical waste management within the premises of medical facilities… and other relevant professional documents and guidelines.

The Lam Dong Provincial Department of Health has requested that all units strengthen the management of medical waste within the premises of healthcare facilities. (Illustrative image.)

Review and address shortcomings in medical waste management; assess the current state of medical wastewater treatment systems. In cases where there is no medical wastewater treatment system, or where the existing system is overloaded or degraded, a plan for new investment or renovation and upgrading must be developed to ensure that medical wastewater treatment meets environmental technical standards before discharge; strengthen management, monitoring, and supervision of the operation of medical wastewater treatment facilities/systems, medical solid waste treatment facilities/equipment, and treated medical wastewater and medical waste.

There are plans, measures, and equipment for preventing and responding to environmental incidents caused by waste in accordance with the law; training, workshops, and communication to raise awareness about medical waste management for all officials, civil servants, employees, contract workers, and other relevant parties; and a system for reporting the results of medical waste management ensuring accuracy and timeliness as required.

Regularly conduct self-inspections and monitoring of the implementation of environmental protection laws and regulations within the unit, and resolutely handle violations. Immediately implement corrective measures for any shortcomings in medical waste management that have been recommended or suggested by inspection teams (if any).

Review the current status of medical waste treatment systems at the unit level (liquid and solid medical waste at provincial, regional, and commune-level units). Assign the Health Centers of the regions and special zones to report on the current status of their units and the communes, wards, and special zones under their management.

See more trending articles:

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/lam-dong-tang-cuong-cong-tac-quan-ly-chat-thai-y-te-169251123165702367.htm