Contact: Chantal Matthys, 021 483 2753
A draft Bill, which will criminalise the illegal dumping and mismanagement of health care waste, was approved to be published for public comment by the Provincial Cabinet on November 24.
On finalisation the provincial Health Care Waste Management Bill will send a clear message to handlers of health care waste that they all have a duty to manage their waste in a responsible manner and to ensure that the management thereof has no adverse effects on human health and the environment.
Provincial Minister of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Tasneem Essop said the negligent disposal of health care waste is cause for concern.
"There have been instances in the past where children were exposed to illegally dumped medical waste, causing trauma and panic in these communities. Recent press reports on antibiotic-resistant superbugs, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have also identified that the negligent disposal of medical waste is a cause of concern. It is the intention of this bill to address these kinds of problems, amongst others, and we look forward to the public comment," Minister Essop said.
The Bill will prescribe specific responsibilities for the generators, transporters, treaters and disposers of health care waste.
The illegal dumping of health care waste and co-disposal of health care waste with general household waste on unsuitable or unpermitted landfill sites, are on the increase. The environmental and health risks associated with these practices are a serious cause for concern.
Issues, such as environmental, pollution and waste management, including health care waste management have received significant attention nationally at policy level. At a provincial level, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning decided to take up the challenge posed by health care waste, and address the related problems by developing the abovementioned Bill in a consultative manner.
The Department envisages that the Bill will strive to progressively realise our environmental right by protecting the citizens of the Western Cape from unnecessary exposure to health risks associated with health care waste.
It will aim to ensure an effective and integrated approach to the management of health care waste and establish uniform provincial standards with regard to health care waste management throughout the Western Cape.
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning has published the Western Cape Health Care Waste Management Draft Bill in the Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 6192. Public comment is hereby invited on this legislation.
Copies of the Draft Bill can be obtained from:
- The Communications Component
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
1 Dorp Street
Cape Town - Or by downloading it here
Written comments on the Draft Bill must be submitted by no later than 12 March 2005 via post, email or fax to:
Post:
The Deputy Director: Waste Management
Attention: Mr E Hanekom
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Private Bag X 9086
Cape Town
8000
Fax no. 021 483 4425
021 483 2979
