DOH warns labs against improper disposal of medical waste

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday warned laboratories, hospitals, and local government units against improper disposal of medical waste amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This was after at least eight kids in Catanduanes tested positive for COVID-19 after playing near the area where a diagnostics laboratory dumps its hazardous wastes.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stressed that there are laws and policies regarding such violations.

“We’re not going to tolerate this kind of irresponsible behavior kasi maaari po ito makasakit or it can cause harm to our other citizens within or nearby their area,” Vergeire said in a media briefing.

(We’re not going to tolerate this kind of irresponsible behavior because this may hurt or cause harm to our other citizens.)

“So pinapaalalahanan po natin ang laboratories, ang ating mga ospital, ang ating local governments, please dispose of your medical waste properly kasi pag hindi natin ginawa 'yan, maaari pang kumalat ang ibang sakit sa ating bansa.”

(So we are reminding our laboratories, our hospitals, and local governments, please dispose of your waste properly, because if not other sicknesses may spread in the country.)

The Health official, however, clarified there is very little possibility that the children got the COVID-19 virus from the syringes.

Vergeire stressed that vaccines are composed of live virus.

“So kung saka-sakaling merong makapagtapon ng hiringilya at nahawakan ng ibang tao katulad ng mga batang ‘yan, ‘yung posibilidad na mahawa sila ay napakaliit,” she said.

(So if there were syringes thrown there and they were touched by people, such as these children, the possibility that they would get infected is very little.)—AOL, GMA News