From: Ian
Category: News & information
Date: 29 Jul 2008
Time: 15:17:03 +0200
Remote Name: 86.133.234.230
Medical waste poses marked threat to third world’s poor
A stark headline, and one that is unquestionably correct in so many ways.
"In many developing countries, including South Africa, it is not an uncommon sight to find human scavengers looking for their daily food at landfill sites. But if not properly managed, these sites can be deadly.
"Last year authorities shut down a company in Boksburg after it was discovered that it dumped more than 20 tons of medical waste, including syringes, expired medication, blood and amputated limbs, barely metres away from the Angela township.
[more]
Scavenging from waste tips is common in many countries. Indeed, it is far more common that most of us realise, or would wish to believe. Yet worse is the inevitable salvage and re-use of syringes, needles and other items from wastes. Poverty and education are widely stated as the root causes, and in some part this is correct.
However, it must not be overlooked that corruption plays its part, fast-tracking hospital waste via the back door directly to the 'recyclers', and then buying back contaminated items while accounting for the full price of new and safe goods. Clearly, addressing this part of the business of illicit recycling will largely eliminate the chance for unsafe needles and syringes being reused. The benefit to public health would be tremendous.
But let nobody tell you it will be easy.