Eight (8) hospitals, clinics and Rural Health Units (RHUs) in the lower and upper valley areas of the province were recently monitored and inspected by the Health Care Waste – Technical Working Group (HCW-TWG).
The HCW-TWG composed of multi-agency representatives from Provincial Environment Management Office, Provincial Information Division, Provincial Engineering Office, Integrated Provincial Health Office, Department of Health and, PhilHealth conducted the inspection in Tantangan RHU, Surallah Community Hospital, T’boli RHU and Moorehouse Mission Hospital in T’boli on the first day and followed by Norala District Hospital, Clinica Luntao in Norala and St. Jude Clinic and Hospital and ZMK Doctor’s Clinic and Hospital in Sto. Nino on the second day.
Health Care Providers (HCP) were evaluated on their mandatory compliance to documentary requirements set by the Environment Management Bureau, DOH and the Local Government Unit such as Environment Compliance Certificate, Permit To Operate (Air Pollution Device), Water Discharge Permit, Hazardous Waste Generator ID/Permit, Local Business Permit, PhilHealth Accreditation, Laboratory Permits, among others, as well as operational requirements, particularly on the implementation of their health care waste management system.
After the monitoring and inspection, an exit conference ensued with the findings and recommendations of the HCW-TWG discussed with the respective HCP.
Another round of monitoring will be conducted in the succeeding months wherein the HCW-TWG will look into the compliance of the HCP and if found deficient, will recommend sanctions based on Provincial Ordinance #6, series of 016 otherwise known as the “South Cotabato Health Care Waste Management Ordinance.”
