Hospital microwave waste

I refer to the letter entitled "Microwave waste management decision meets approval" (April 17). The Health Division would like to make reference to the statement issued by the Malta Institute of Waste Management following the award of the tender for a non-burn microwave technology for the processing of clinical waste at St Luke's Hospital. The endorsement by an independent, third party, non-government organisation of the decision to adopt this type of technology vindicates the extensive cost-effective exercise carried out by the division, aided by foreign consultants.

Nevertheless, it is appropriate to clarify and eliminate the seeds of doubt sown by the institute in its questioning the probability that infectious waste will be kept fully separate from the domestic waste stream.

The institute is well aware that the Health Division is the only entity to have introduced codes of practice for its clinical waste management operations. The success achieved in recent years is highlighted by the dramatic improvements in segregation and reduction in clinical waste volumes and is endorsed by the findings of the recent public inquiry which determined without any shadow of doubt that St Luke's Hospital was in no way involved in the alleged disposal of human remains at the Maghhtab landfill.

The institute is equally aware that the most likely way in which infectious waste can end up in the domestic waste is through negligence of waste carriers. The division looks forward to cooperating with the institute in educational interventions aimed at such carriers, most of whom are members of theinstitute.

Finally, the institute should look no further than the Environmental Protection Act in its search for the authority responsible for the monitoring and auditing of hazardous waste. These regulations clearly place the onus of these interventions on the Environment Protection Department of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, not on the Health Division.