Enhancement of the management of medical waste within the premises of healthcare facilities in Vietnam

Enhancement of the management of medical waste within the premises of healthcare facilities in Vietnam (Internet image)

On April 11, 2024, the Ministry of Health issued Official Dispatch 1867/BYT-MT on the enhancement of the management of medical waste within the premises of healthcare facilities.

Enhancement of the management of medical waste within the premises of healthcare facilities in Vietnam

In order to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in managing medical waste within the premises of healthcare facilities, the Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities to direct the implementation of the following measures:

- Review, amend, and issue regulations on appropriate collection, transportation, and disposal of medical waste in accordance with local realities and current legal provisions, to address difficulties and challenges in the collection, transportation, and disposal of medical waste within the designated areas; organize and implement these measures after obtaining approval.

- Instruct the Department of Health to collaborate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to enhance awareness, training, communication, and guidance for healthcare facilities under their jurisdiction in implementing the management of medical waste in accordance with the regulations of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, Decree 08/2022/ND-CP, Circular 20/2021/TT-BYT, and Circular 02/2022/TT-BTNMT.

- Direct the Department of Health to thoroughly review the entire wastewater treatment system in public healthcare facilities within the province. Submit reports and propose budget allocation to the People's Committees of provinces or cities for the construction, renovation, or repair of wastewater treatment systems in public healthcare facilities within the province that do not have such systems or have systems that are overloaded or deteriorated, in order to ensure compliance with environmental technical standards before discharge.

- Instruct the Department of Health to urgently review and evaluate the operation of solid medical waste incinerators in healthcare facilities within the region; take decisive action to cease operations for incinerators that do not comply with QCVN 02:2012/BTNMT - the National Technical Regulation on Solid Health Care Waste Incinerators, and implement appropriate solutions.

- Strengthen inspections and monitoring of the management of medical waste in the area, and strictly handle any violations.

- The Department of Health should instruct healthcare facilities within the region to implement the following measures:

+ Strictly comply with regulations on the management of medical waste according to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, Decree 08/2022/ND-CP, Circular 20/2021/TT-BYT, and Circular 02/2022/TT-BTNMT.

+ Review and rectify any existing issues in the management of medical waste, and assess the status of wastewater treatment systems. In cases where there is no wastewater treatment system or the existing system is overloaded or deteriorated, develop plans and measures for new investments or renovation and upgrading, ensuring that wastewater treatment meets environmental technical standards before discharge; strengthen the management, monitoring, and operation of wastewater treatment systems, as well as the treatment of solid medical waste and post-treatment medical wastewater.

+ Establish plans, measures, and equipment for prevention and response to environmental incidents caused by waste, as regulated by law.

+ Organize training, workshops, and communication activities to enhance awareness of medical waste management for all relevant personnel, including officials, public employees, contractors, and other related parties.

+ Strictly adhere to the reporting regime for the results of medical waste management, ensuring accuracy and compliance with prescribed timelines.

+ Regularly conduct self-inspections and monitoring of compliance with environmental protection laws within the units, and take decisive action against any violations.

+ Immediately implement measures to address any existing issues related to the management of medical waste as recommended or requested by inspection teams, auditors, or other authorities (if applicable).

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 1867/BYT-MT, issued on April 11, 2024.

Ho Quoc Tuan

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