VietNamNet Bridge – The local media has reported that tens of tons of hazardous medical waste that would have been destroyed under strict procedures at licensed facilities were recycled at Vietnam’s largest and most prestigious hospital, Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi.

Extremely hazardous waste was recycled into plastic products at enterprises in Hanoi’s suburbs.

Bach Mai Hospital on January 8 organized a press conference about the scandal.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Head of the Infection Control Ward, Bach Mai Hospital - acknowledged that the information on waste treatment at the hospital was true. However workers performed the wrong process only during certain times.

Hung said, shortly after receiving the information, he immediately examined the waste treatment facility and reported to the hospital managers.

He said he would take responsibility for this. He said he has managed the waste treatment tasks for 16 years. He said the hospital has a very strict process on sorting waste at the source, including three main groups of common waste, medical waste and hazardous waste.

Bach Mai Hospital discharges about 5.7 tons of medical waste every day, mainly common waste with about 4.5 tons, about 300 kg of recycling waste, and hazardous waste of about 800 kg.

Regarding the procedures of waste treatment, the hospital does not directly perform this task but signs annual contracts with other firms.

Hung affirmed that the hospital has strictly followed the procedures of the Ministry of Health and the hospital has signed contracts with companies that specialize in waste treatment for many hospitals in Hanoi.

Hung said the Infection Control Department at Bach Mai Hospital conducted a study to sterilize garbage for recycling.

He explained that this method had been implemented for a few months and workers had to break syringes to kill all bacteria.  At high temperatures, the test samples were found without bacteria so it is not true that infectious medical waste is brought out to the environment.

All of the stages are managed very carefully. Perhaps workers were caught in the act by reporters when they did not follow the treatment process.

When the reporters asked for the contract between the hospital and the waste treatment company, the Bach Mai Hospital refused, saying that the hospital would respond in writing to each press agency if they send questions to the hospital.

Le Ha