Hazardous waste found amongst regular garbage

Philip Willoughby

Earlier in the week, the councilor responsible for garbage, Philip Willoughby, was sniffing around the dumpsite and he uncovered a situation that could have serious repercussions.  Medical waste such as vials, blood bags and needles were mixed with the regular garbage. It is a problem because medical waste is very hazardous and can’t be treated in the same fashion that household and commercial garbage is destroyed.  If medical waste would end up in the city’s garbage hot spots, it could pose a serious health problem for city residents.  City councilor Philip Willoughby said that he has arranged for a meeting with the Director of Health Services and members of the medical community to address the proper etiquette for disposing of medical waste.

Philip Willoughby, Belize City Councillor

“Day before yesterday we found some medical waste; vials, needles, I don’t know but the apparatus that the blood is used or cleaned in but nonetheless, we found those in some red bags as well as in green bags; red being hazardous and green which is a neutral color to say it is not hazardous. Belize maintenance also uses green bags, but it’s contradictory to find out or ascertain who took the waste to the land fill, two how did hazardous waste end up in green bags? As a result of this I had a brief conversation with the C.E.O. from Ministry of Health Dr. Peter Allen, we discussed the matter and I believe we meet next week Tuesday with public sector health providers and private health providers and medical and dental association. And I guess I presume some other players to engage in a discussion as to not let this happen again and maybe re-establish and reaffirm the proper protocol and policies with how these types of wastes are dealt with.”

Willoughby says that all hazardous waste such as needles and vials should be incinerated but the unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is not working.