QEH: New measures in place for burning medical waste at Martindales Road facility

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) says it resumed burning medical waste at its Martindales Road facility on Monday, November 27.

Since then, management has received a number of complaints from residents in the surrounding environs about the increase in the level of smoke coming from the incinerator, the QEH said in a statement on Saturday. 

The hospital said it has acknowledged these concerns and is taking them seriously. 

In response, management and the engineering department have decided on the following measures: 

• The creation of a new schedule for burning medical waste as an immediate measure to address environmental concerns raised by residents. Starting next week, incineration will be conducted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only; there will be no burning from Friday through to Monday.

• As a temporary measure, the existing incinerator will be outfitted with new ‘after-burners’, the purpose of which is to provide a cleaner burn and a significant reduction in the level of smoke expelled from the plant. These should be installed within the coming weeks.

• The board of management and the management team are actively exploring green, environmentally friendly technologies as a long-term solution for medical waste management at the hospital.

Management at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital apologies for the inconvenience and thanks residents for their patience and understanding, as we work on a more permanent solution.

(PR)