Wastes generated by hospitals are dangerous to human health, if not treated properly. Every day the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu generates more than 20 Kilogrammes of infectious waste, 15 to 20 kilogrammes of sharps, 100 kilogrammes of general waste and food waste.
The general wastes are directly dumped in the municipal waste bin. The infectious waste and the sharps are treated before dumping in the waste bins. It ultimately finds its way to the Memelakha landfill area. Pathological wastes like placentas and body parts are left to decompose in a pit that is fenced and has a lid.
The Deputy Nursing Superintendent, Chhimi Lhamu, said wastes that are dumped at the Memelakha landfill area are all sterilized and pose no threat. “We segregate waste from all the wards and then take it down for the waste disposal for storage side and are treated.”
The Medical Superintendent, Dr. Dhrupthob Sonam, said medical waste can cause pollution and disease if it is not handled properly.
“The risk of infectious waste mainly if it is not made non-infectious there is a chance of getting HIV especially if a person gets pricked by the needle or some gets contaminated with blood. Other diseases are hepatitis B and C. It is the most common disease which we can get through the infectious waste,” said the Medical Superintendent.
The hazardous medical wastes are treated before dumping it to the Memelakha.
