Quang Ninh strengthens medical waste management, ensuring environmental safety and public health.

SKĐS - The Health sector of Quang Ninh province has recently strengthened many solutions to manage and treat medical waste in a strict, safe manner and in compliance with legal regulations.

According to the Department of Health of Quang Ninh province, in 2024, the whole sector will have 29 facilities generating medical waste, with the total amount of hazardous waste collected and treated reaching 486.83 tons, of which infectious waste accounts for more than 472 tons. All units carry out classification, collection, storage and sign contracts with organizations with sufficient functions to transport and treat according to standards. In addition, the amount of ordinary solid waste generated is more than 4,568 tons, of which 164.6 tons are recycled and the rest is treated through the urban environmental system. Currently, 100% of medical facilities in the area have invested in wastewater treatment systems; nearly 695,000m³ of wastewater generated during the year is treated to meet QCVN 28:2010/BTNMT standards before being discharged into the environment.

All types of medical waste are classified at the place of generation; the collection, storage and transportation process are carried out in accordance with regulations. General waste not for recycling is transferred to the urban environmental unit; recycled waste is handed over to units with annual commitment contracts; infectious and non-infectious hazardous waste is stored properly and transferred to organizations licensed to handle hazardous waste. In particular, Co To District Medical Center, due to the characteristics of the island district, handles all infectious waste by itself, while some large units such as Hai Ha Medical Center, Cam Pha Regional General Hospital and Vietnam - Sweden Uong Bi Hospital handle part of the infectious waste according to their capacity.

As the province's final hospital, Quang Ninh General Hospital generates more than 135,000m³ of medical wastewater each year, all of which is treated with modern AAO technology before being discharged into the environment. The hospital also thoroughly treats more than 81 tons of hazardous waste each year, which is transferred to a unit with the necessary functions to handle it according to regulations.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Head of the hospital's Communications and Administration Department, said that the unit always considers environmental protection a task closely linked to people's health care, regularly maintains and upgrades the wastewater treatment system and organizes training for staff on waste classification and treatment, ensuring absolute safety for patients and the environment.

Medical waste is classified at source by Quang Ninh General Hospital. Photo: BVCC.

At Bai Chay Hospital, medical waste management is strictly implemented to control infections and ensure the safety of patients and medical staff . Every day, the hospital receives from 1,500 to 1,800 patients for examination and treatment, while maintaining the number of inpatients at about 1,000 - 1,200 people, resulting in a relatively large amount of waste generated. In the first quarter of 2025, the hospital recorded an average of 295 kg of infectious waste per day; 11 kg of non-infectious hazardous waste; 200 kg of recyclable waste and 946 kg of general waste. Thanks to maintaining regular sanitation, the hospital rooms and grounds are always kept clean and airy.

Bai Chay Hospital also built a systematic waste management system, from classification, collection to storage. The Infection Control Department and the Infection Control Council were strengthened, responsible for monitoring the entire process. The hospital fully invested in equipment to classify waste correctly, organized training and regularly inspected the implementation of medical staff. Medical waste storage facilities are arranged separately, locked and only opened hourly to receive waste from departments or hand over to collection units. Trash bins in departments and rooms are clearly divided according to each type of waste; bins are cleaned every day and highly infectious waste is initially treated at the source before being collected to the storage area. The collection and disposal of hazardous waste is carried out through the selection of qualified contractors; waste is transported and treated once a day in accordance with legal regulations. All waste storage points are supervised by specialized staff; Medical staff are periodically trained in waste classification, collection and management, contributing to ensuring a green - clean - beautiful hospital environment.

Waste classification at Bai Chay Hospital. Photo: Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Health.

Up to now, 100% of the hospital's departments have classified waste correctly at the source, and there is no longer a situation of hazardous waste being mixed with household waste. After collection, waste is transported to the storage area, has a daily logbook and is periodically destroyed. For recyclable waste, the staff of the Infection Control Department classifies and disinfects it with chemicals such as Javen or Cloramin B before reusing it according to regulations. Propaganda and guidance for patients and their families to properly follow regulations on waste classification are also focused on to raise awareness of environmental protection in the community.

With synchronous, drastic and systematic solutions, the Quang Ninh Health sector is gradually improving the effectiveness of medical waste management, contributing to building a safe and friendly medical examination and treatment environment and protecting public health in a sustainable manner.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/quang-ninh-tang-cuong-quan-ly-chat-thai-y-te-dam-bao-an-toan-moi-truong-va-suc-khoe-cong-dong-169251120113628637.htm