Question NW114 to the Minister of Health
25 February 2022 - NW114
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What was the outcome of the investigation by the Eastern Cape Health Department into a certain company (name furnished) after it was revealed that hazardous waste, including body parts, were accumulating at their West Bank facility; (2) whether he will furnish the Portfolio Committee on Health with the report and recommendations of the investigation as a matter of urgency; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (3) whether the specified company has a waste storage licence; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, will he furnish Ms E R Wilson with a copy of the licence; (4) where is the medical waste disposal site of the company located in the Eastern Cape; (5) whether the company has a furnace facility in order to ensure the appropriate disposal of medical waste and body parts in particular; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the Eastern Department of Health -
(1) An inspection was carried out by the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and a report was written with full recommendations to the company. It was established that the company was operating legally and at the site that is suitable for storage of medical waste as per the investigation.
(2) The report of the investigation is attached (Annexure A).
(3) The company has registered with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) for a waste storage licence for two (2) sites in Eastern Cape, East London and Gqeberha (Annexure B).
(4) The company has no medical waste disposal site located in Eastern Cape, but has arrangments with companies outside the province where it disposes medical waste.
(5) The company makes use of the following facilities which are equiped for appropriate disposal of medical waste and body parts:
- Averda in George – Western Cape
- Averda in Klerksdorp – North West
END.