Zoomlion tasked to manage COVID vaccination waste

As part of measures to manage and properly disposed COVID-19 vaccination waste materials to prevent further health calamity in the country, Government in the 4th phase COVID-19 vaccination exercise, has contracted Zoomlion Medical Waste to collect all the vaccination waste materials nationwide for properly disposal at its special built plant.

In an interview, the Upper West Regional Manager for Zoomlion, Mr.Emmanuel Volsuuri disclosed that, the purpose of collecting the COVID vaccination medical waste in the Region by Zoomlion Medical Waste, is to properly disposed to avoid any further public health crises.

He added that, to be able to achieve the purpose, the company have deployed specialise waste bins to all the vaccination centers so that, at the end of the day the specialized Waste Van would go round to collect all the waste and stored for onward safe disposal in Accra.

The implications associated if the waste are not properly disposed Mr. Volsuuri indicated, can create serious health problems saying, it is a hazardous waste.

“Once it is hazardous, if it is not collected for properly disposed, it can create a public health for all Ghanaians especially, once it is waste generated from COVID. We all know it is an infectious disease”.

Zoomlion Medical Waste he mentioned, is well prepared because, officers are in all the Districts and are working in about 27 vaccination centers across the Region.

According to him, the company have Autoclave method for disposing medical waste and therefore, at the end of the day, all waste collected would be sent to Accra to be disposed through the autoclave plant.

Among the benefits to be derived from the exercise he averred, has to do with the promotion of public health saying, once public health is promoted, it would be a benefit to Zoomlion because that is exactly what they are in for.

The first positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Ghana on 12th March, 2020 when it started affecting most of the countries in the world after WHO have declared a global pandemic.

Since the inception of the outbreak, the number one Best Waste Management Company in Ghana and West Africa, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has played a critical role in helping the Government to control the spread of the virus.

These comprises the disinfection of schools, markets, lorry parks, public places of convenience, churches, mosques, security installations and many more.
Now, one of the critical areas to consider as far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned has to do with the disposal of the medical waste.

Healthcare wastes are potentially dangerous and polluting, and their safe management and disposal is a matter of continuing public and professional concern.

Errors in waste management continue to occur at every point of the disposal chain.

Bloodborne virus transmission is the greatest concern, though soft tissue, enteric and respiratory infections are recorded.

However, with care, the infection risk can be minimized. The implications of bloodborne virus infection, the wider public health implications, and potential environmental impact mandates great care in the handling, packaging, storage and processing of wastes.

Medical waste treatment facilities is therefore, needed in other parts of the country hence, the need to fall on Zoomlion Ghana Limited because of its available resources and prompt response to carry out the exercise.