Ministry of Health requests to strengthen management of wastewater and medical waste

No specific responsibilities have been assigned to staff performing medical waste management.

According to the Ministry of Health, implementing the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020; Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP dated January 10, 2022 of the Government detailing a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection; Circular No. 20/2021/TT-BYT dated November 26, 2021 of the Ministry of Health regulating the management of medical waste within the premises of medical facilities, medical facilities have implemented basic medical waste management in accordance with regulations.

However, through actual inspections in some localities and units in 2023, it was found that there are still shortcomings such as: some localities have not yet issued regulations on the collection, transportation and treatment of medical waste in the area. Some medical facilities have not promptly completed the procedures to apply for an Environmental License to replace the expired License to discharge wastewater into water sources.

At the same time, specific responsibilities have not been assigned to staff in charge of medical waste management at the unit; plastic waste has not been thoroughly classified for collection for recycling purposes; bags, bins, and tools for storing medical waste have not been arranged according to regulations; and medical waste storage areas have not met requirements.

In addition, maintenance, operation supervision of medical waste treatment facilities/systems has not been regularly carried out; management and supervision of medical wastewater and medical solid waste after treatment have not been strengthened.

Assessment of the current status of medical solid waste incinerators

In order to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement on medical waste management within the premises of medical facilities, in the document sent to the People's Committees of provinces and cities, the Ministry of Health requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the implementation of reviewing, supplementing and promulgating regulations on collection, transportation and treatment of medical waste in accordance with the actual situation of the locality and in accordance with the provisions of current law to remove difficulties and obstacles in the collection, transportation and treatment of medical waste according to the cluster model in the area; organize implementation after approval.

The People's Committees of provinces and cities direct the Department of Health to coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to strengthen dissemination, training, communication, and guidance for medical facilities under their management authority to implement medical waste management in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020; Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP detailing a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection; Circular No. 20/2021/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health regulating the management of medical waste within the premises of medical facilities; Circular No. 02/2022/TT-BTNMT of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection and related professional documents and instructions.

At the same time, direct the Department of Health to review the entire medical wastewater treatment system at public medical facilities in the area; report and propose a plan to the Provincial and City People's Committees to allocate funds for new investment or upgrading and repairing the wastewater treatment system for public medical facilities in the province that do not have a medical wastewater treatment system or are overloaded or degraded to ensure that the treatment of medical wastewater meets environmental technical standards before discharge.

The People's Committees of provinces and cities shall direct the Department of Health to coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to urgently review and assess the current status of operations of medical solid waste incinerators at medical facilities in the area; resolutely stop the operations of medical waste incinerators that do not meet the National Technical Regulations on medical solid waste incinerators and take appropriate measures.

In addition, strengthen inspection and supervision of medical waste management in the area and strictly handle violations.

Management, monitoring and supervision of the operation of medical wastewater treatment system and medical solid waste treatment system

The Ministry of Health also requested the Department of Health to direct medical facilities in the area under its management to strictly implement regulations on medical waste management according to the above documents; review and overcome shortcomings in medical waste management; and assess the current status of the medical wastewater treatment system.

In case there is no medical wastewater treatment system or the system is overloaded or degraded, there must be a new investment plan or renovation and upgrading plan to ensure that medical wastewater treatment meets environmental technical standards before discharge; strengthen management, monitoring and supervision of the operation of medical wastewater treatment works/systems, medical solid waste treatment works/equipment and medical wastewater, and post-treatment medical waste.

Units have plans, measures, and equipment to prevent and respond to environmental incidents caused by waste according to the provisions of law; organize training, coaching, and communication to raise awareness of medical waste management for all officers, employees, contractors, and other relevant subjects.

At the same time, strictly implement the reporting regime on medical waste management results to ensure accuracy and timeliness according to regulations; regularly self-check and supervise the implementation of environmental protection laws at the unit, and resolutely and strictly handle violations.

At the same time, immediately implement measures to overcome existing problems in medical waste management that have been recommended and proposed for implementation by the Inspection, Audit and Supervision Teams.