09 Dec 2013

Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolekae has told Parliament that she is aware that clinical waste has not been regularly collected at Sebina and Mathangwane clinics during the last four months.

She said clinical waste was not collected in September and October at all while in November it was collected twice.

Dr Somolekae said her ministry has outsourced collection of clinical waste to councils with Sebina and Mathangwane clinical waste being collected by Tutume Sub-district Council. However, she said the collection of clinical waste has not been regular as expected because of breakdown of clinical waste vehicles.

In case of prolonged breakdowns, she said District Health Management Teams are expected to engage private companies or seek assistance from other councils to assist with the collection of clinical waste so as to prevent health hazards.

She said there is no doubt her ministry has to strengthen the clinical waste monitoring system to prevent delays in collection of clinical waste.

Dr Somolekae was responding to a question asked by Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao, who asked the minister if she was aware that clinical waste material has not been collected at Mathangwane and Sebina clinics for the past four months.
If so, he also wanted to know what measures would be put in place to ensure that clinical waste is collected timeously as it poses a health hazard. ENDS