Online ReporterRobin Muchetu, Lifestyle, Health and Gender Editor
A US$19 000 heavy-duty incinerator under construction at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo is nearing completion, with officials saying it will significantly benefit the entire southern region, by ensuring the safe and efficient disposal of hospital waste.
The incinerator will be used to dispose of medical waste.
Previously, hospitals and industries in the region had to send their medical waste to Harare or to Hwange Colliery Company Limited for incineration. With the new facility, Mpilo will now be able to manage its own waste on-site and also offer services to institutions in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces.
The hospital’s existing incinerator has long failed to meet minimum requirements, including holding capacity and the high temperatures needed for proper medical waste treatment.
Last week, Vice President Kembo Mohadi toured the new facility under construction. He was briefed on the incineration process and expressed his satisfaction with the progress, noting that the development will benefit a large portion of the country.
According to the hospital, the new incinerator has the capacity to burn 1 000 tonnes of waste every eight hours.
Mpilo’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narcisius Dzvanga, highlighted the benefits of the new equipment.
“The incinerator is expected to be commissioned by end of this month. It will handle all forms of medical waste, including liquids, semi-solids and solids. Its major advantage is that it will serve the entire southern region, covering both public and private institutions,” he said.
This state-of-the-art incinerator is the second of its kind in Zimbabwe, following the one at Sally Mugabe Hospital. Both have been made possible through a partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Personnel to operate the incinerator, including mechanical and electrical engineers, an incinerator operator and drivers, have already been identified.
Healthcare waste (HCW) is defined as the total waste stream generated by a healthcare facility. This includes sharps, non-sharps, blood, body parts, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and radioactive materials.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 16 billion injections are administered globally each year, but not all needles and syringes are disposed of safely.
Health care waste contains potentially harmful micro-organisms that can infect hospital patients, health workers and the wider public.
In Zimbabwe, health facilities face numerous challenges in waste management. These include inadequate budget allocations, the lack of formalised healthcare waste management (HCWM) systems and technological and infrastructural gaps in minimisation, segregation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal.
As part of the Mpilo Hospital project, partners also provided two refuse collection trucks. These are being used by the hospital following difficulties faced by the Bulawayo City Council in handling waste collection.
Previously, hazardous waste would accumulate at the hospital for days before being collected and disposed of, posing a serious health risk.
During his tour, Vice President Mohadi said Government was committed to delivering quality health services and ensuring that all citizens receive the best possible care. However, he noted the need for further improvements to facilities at Mpilo.
“We see that hospital accommodation is in short supply, and the radiology department also requires attention,” he said.
Hospital management were instructed to establish direct communication lines with the Office of the Vice President as health matters fall under his oversight. This would help ensure quicker responses and avoid unnecessary delays.
Officials were also advised to clearly outline their priorities in the correct order, allowing the Government to assist more effectively in maintaining smooth operations at Mpilo, which serves not only Bulawayo but the entire southern region.— @NyembeziMu
