The City of Tshwane will implement a rigorous medical waste management regime to address the potential health hazards arising from the improper management of medical waste in the health sector.

The City's plan in this regard is in line with the National Health Act of 2003, the Hazardous Substances Act of 1983, the Environmental Conservation Act of 1989, the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act of 2004 and other regulations.

The task will entail monitoring the disposal of medical waste by hospitals and related centres, veterinary centres, private medical practices, pharmacies, mortuaries, initiation schools, old-age homes and hospices, and correctional service centres.

The medical waste usually includes human tissue and fluids, medical equipment such as needles and blades, waste containing drugs that are used in cancer therapy (cytostatic drugs), chemicals, gas cylinders, radioactive waste, and waste with a high content of heavy metals such as mercury.

The main focus will be on whether medical waste is separated from other forms of waste and incinerated (burned), and whether the by-products such as gases are handled in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the City will determine whether the medical waste is stored properly before disposal, transported correctly and collected in line with the law.

• The City of Tshwane's Environmental Health Division will carry out the following activities to ensure that accepted standards are met:
• Develop and enforce a health care risk waste management by-law in terms of the Gauteng Health Care Risk Waste Management Regulations and in compliance with international standards and related legislation and policy.
• Collaborate with the Gauteng Department of Health, the Department of Labour and health service providers to ensure compliance with all regulations.
• Establish forums to ensure intersectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Enter into a memorandum of understanding with relevant stakeholders and ensure inspection and monitoring of compliance.
• Register medical waste generators and service providers.
• Make awareness and training programmes, training material and information available.
• Promote waste minimisation through the re-use and recycling of separated material.
• Monitor waste generators for compliance and ensure that roles and responsibilities are carried out.
• Appoint inspectors and officers to monitor and enforce compliance.
• Provide facilities and services for the collection, removal, treatment and disposal of medical waste from minor generators.

The action plan will be implemented in phases.

We hope that the plan will assist us to regulate medical waste disposal in Tshwane so as to create a healthier environment for our people.