Human remains and radioactive tools found at Bahrain health facilities

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune –www.newsofbahrain.com

In a shocking revelation, the 18th National Audit Office Annual Report 2020-2021 found that some health facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Salmaniya Medical Complex kept human organ remains, genotoxic drugs and other waste for more than 24 hours in violation of Article (8) of Resolution No. (1) of 2001.

The report also highlights the accumulation of containers of radioactive waste materials used for tumour diagnosis in the SMC warehouse.

The report points out that the executive body of the Supreme Council for the Environment does not control the environmental aspects related to waste disposal operations, nor does its conduct environmental tests and analyses to measure the levels and percentages of pollution in the Askar area.

The report indicates that the company in charge of managing and developing Askar landfill estimated the remaining capacity of Askar landfill as 4 million cubic meters in April 2021.

“This is sufficient for the burial of waste for three years, which calls for planning to find a new site,” the report finds.

In another shocking find, the report says that some government hospitals and health centres disposed of some liquid wastes resulting from the analysis of blood samples, which include dangerous chemical solutions, into the sewage network.

NAO report also finds that only a low percentage of municipal and commercial waste is recycled, used or converted into energy, and it didn’t exceed 1% of the total waste, despite the possibility of recycling 47% of it.

In its response, the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning stated that it is preparing a new site plan for waste management and recycling in the Hafira area.

The ministry said it is also in contract with a company to establish and manage a recycling facility for construction and demolition waste to extend the life of the Askar landfill.

The ministry also confirmed that it is processing medical waste in line with the procedures and policies, but sometimes there is a slight delay.

On radioactive waste materials, the ministry said that work is underway to improve the current procedures.

The Supreme Council for Environment said that Askar Landfill is one of the facilities included in the annual inspection plan.

SCE said it had directed to instal a station to monitor the quality of surrounding air at Askar.

Wells are dug to monitor pollutants in groundwater for periodic sampling.