Provincial Minister of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning,Tasneem Essop said the negligent disposal of health care waste is causefor concern."There have been instances in the past where children were exposed toillegally dumped medical waste, causing trauma and panic in thesecommunities. Recent press reports on antibiotic-resistant superbugs,like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have alsoidentified that the negligent disposal of medical waste is a cause ofconcern. It is the intention of this bill to address these kinds ofproblems, 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 carewaste with general household waste on unsuitable or unpermitted landfillsites, are on the increase. The environmental and health risksassociated with these practices are a serious cause for concern.
Issues, such as environmental, pollution and waste management,including health care waste management have received significantattention nationally at policy level. At a provincial level, theDepartment of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning decided totake up the challenge posed by health care waste, and address therelated problems by developing the abovementioned Bill in a consultativemanner.
The Department envisages that the Bill will strive to progressivelyrealise our environmental right by protecting the citizens of theWestern Cape from unnecessary exposure to health risks associated withhealth care waste.
It will aim to ensure an effective and integrated approach to themanagement of health care waste and establish uniform provincialstandards with regard to health care waste management throughout theWestern Cape.
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning haspublished the Western Cape Health Care Waste Management Draft Bill inthe Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 6192. Public comment is herebyinvited on this legislation.
Copies of the Draft Bill can be obtained from:
Draft Bills OR
The Communications Component
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
1 Dorp Street
Cape Town
