FOLLOWING the recent survey by the government on bio-medical wastes dumped hazardously in seashores and dump sites, hospitals and dispensaries in the country have been warned to make sure the medical wastes does not mix up with other solid wastes.
The Minister in the Vice- President’s
Office (Union and Environment), Mr January Makamba, said in their survey
they found used bandages, discarded sharps, gloves and other medical
supplies at Bongoyo, Mbudya Island and Pugu dump site.
“Each hospital and dispensary must make
sure they use incinerators or find any other better way to get rid of
medical wastes as per Environment Act and its regulations instead of
dumping them randomly,” he told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Mr Makamba also instructed the National
Environmental Management Council (NEMC) to conduct a special operation
to unveil violators, adding the government will not hesitate to shut
down any hospital which does not have infrastructure to handle its solid
waste.
Expounding further, he said community
members should not hesitate to report anyone who pollute environment
through a special number, 0685333444, by sending a short text message, a
picture through whatsapp, messenger or make a call.
On the Kagera earthquake that occurred
on September 10 with devastating results, Mr Makamba said his office has
already sent NEMC officials to work with the region’s environment team
to conduct an assessment on the side effects caused by the tremor.
The minister told reporters that he will
also tour the region from tomorrow to identify the side effects on the
environment and find mitigation measures.
He further reminded members of the
public on the government’s intention to ban use of plastic bags from
January 2017 as part of efforts to conserve the environment.
The minister noted that the government
was determined to reverse the scourge of environmental degradation
caused by plastic bags and was in the final stages of preparing
guidelines to monitor the ban.
An eight-month grace period for manufacturers, suppliers and users to get prepared has been issued.
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