THE Department of Health (DOH) today reminded that there is a law that covers and penalizes hospitals, laboratories and other facilities that handle cases of transmissible diseases if they violate regulations regarding the correct disposal of medical wastes.
DOH Spokesperson and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire further emphasizes that the DOH will not condone the irresponsible disposal of medical wastes because this will endanger the health of the public.
The DOH warning came after it received report that seven children in Virac, Catanduanes tested positive of COVID-19 after they were exposed to the disease while they were playing with medical waste allegedly disposed by a medical diagnostic center along the coast of Barangay Concepcion in the province.
Vergeire said that the DOH has guidelines and standards on the correct disposal of medical wastes that medical facilities and local government units should know and comply with.
She reiterated that medical wastes such as used test kits, gloves, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), swab and body fluids should be placed in a separate, sealed and sturdy container and should be properly disposed of.