GozoNews.Com

The incinerator at the Gozo General Hospital was closed down in recent days, with clinical waste now being disposed of through a new system that started being utilised last week, while the old incinerator facilities, including the chimney, were dismantled earlier this week.

This was said yesterday by the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono during an on-site visit to the Gozo General Hospital. Minister Debono also said that the Ministry for Gozo worked in close collaboration with WasteServ Malta Ltd for the closure of the hospital incinerator in Gozo. Clinical waste generated at the Gozo hospital is being temporarily stored within a purposely refrigerated truck and then transported, according to demand, to the new incineration facilities in Marsa, which also include an energy-recovery component.

There will be no health risks during the transfer of clinical waste as this will be carried out through the use of specific containers that are fully-compliant with regulations issued by the United Nations on the transport of hazardous waste. Such waste will be accepted at the facility according to scheduled appointments, the practice of which allows for more verification.

Minister Debono also said that the former incinerator space at the Gozo General Hospital will now be converted into adequate storage facilities for clinical waste awaiting transportation according to established procedures. The Ministry for Gozo had submitted an application with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) for the dismantling of the incinerator’s chimney, the application of which was approved recently.

Minister Debono said that the closure of the hospital incinerator will result in a marked improvement to the environment in general, as less emissions are released, and to the residents of the vicinity who have had to bear the inconvenience that the old incinerator created since the setting up of the hospital in 1975. This latest development, which has seen yet another improvement in waste management practices to internationally accepted levels, will certainly serve to improve the quality of life of all those living in the vicinity of the hospital, and a net improvement for the Gozitan environment.