Abu Dhabi: The Centre of Waste Management – Abu Dhabi (Tadweer) has developed a scheme to collect medical waste from school clinics in Al Ain from the beginning of this month.
A total of 146 school clinics in Al Ain will be covered under the complementary scheme that will include collection, treatment and disposal of medical waste, a Tadweer press release said on Sunday.
A private company contracted by Tadweer for the management of medical waste generated by health-care establishments in Al Ain, will undertake monthly visits to collect medical waste stored by schools in proper containers approved by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi(HAAD). The medical waste will then be processed at the Al Ain incinerator according to the highest specifications and international practices.
A refrigerated vehicle with a temperature of a minimum of five degrees Celsius inside and equipped with all mandatory requirements for medical waste collection and transportation, will be used to transfer the waste from the school clinics to the treatment facility for their safe disposal.
The entire process will be carried out under the direct supervision of Tadweer, which will ensure proper medical waste handling and safe disposal in accordance with highest local and international standards. .
Abdul Mohsin Al Katheri, Head of Hazardous Facilities Section at Tadweer, said: “Medical waste generated by school clinics often contains different toxic substances that pose a real threat to the health and well-being of children who are more vulnerable than adults to the adverse effects associated with exposure to such waste. With active private sector participation, the medical waste collection from school clinics scheme is set to improve the collection, transportation and disposal of medical waste generated by the school clinics.”
Tadweer will also conduct workshops at all school clinics to educate school health professionals on how to dispose of medical waste effectively and safely. Additionally, a waste manifest system will be implemented, stipulating relevant steps to be followed for the safe collection and management of medical waste in particular and other types of non-hazardous waste in general.
In Al Ain, 146 schools have small clinics to take care of health-related issues of pupils. On an average, one to two kilos of medical waste is produced by these clinics every month.
With its ongoing programmes and initiatives, Tadweer seeks to deliver effective waste management practices in Abu Dhabi through waste reduction at source, reuse and recycling programmes.
