SWRHA chairman: Delay in Charge causes medical waste back-up

Chairman of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) Dr Lackram Bodoe said a Copy of medical waste at the San Fernando General Hospital had to do with a delay in payment to a contractor and not the malfunctioning of the incineration.

Responding to complaints regarding the dangers posed by the accumulated medical waste, which included amputated limbs, needles, and bloodstained items, Bodoe assured the $9 million incineration installed last year was functioning well.

He explained it had been allowed to accumulate because daily paid workers refused to work on Tuesday.

Speaking with members of the media at SWRHA’s symposium on direction at the Southern Academy of Performing Arts on Wednesday, Bodoe said:

“I wish to give the assurance that the incineration itself is still working well.

“It is a brand new incineration that was installed last year and the issue had to do with a contractor that was supposed to remove the crap and there was a delay of funding and that’s what created a temporary situation ”

Asked the way the problem will be rectified, he explained:”I have just been given the assurance by the CEO that the matter has been dealt with as we speak, therefore I expect by the end of the afternoon it will be sorted out”

In addition, Bodoe said the SWRHA was also contemplating introducing a new kind of technology, called the radio wave technology for incineration, which was much more air friendly.

But a Public Service Association representative, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the incineration had been breaking down on a regular basis because it was installed last year and wasn’t working at this time.

“They even had to revert to the old incineration and that’s dangerous and unhealthy to individuals operating that incineration. Since last week Thursday that the incineration (new one) is down,” he added.

He said workers took the action on Tuesday because since last week they had been assured that the garbage problem could have been piled.

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