Thursday, February 28, 2013

Wastewater management in healthcare

My 2nd year with Health Care Without Harm-Asia on its 10th year celebration.

There are 10 goals to achieve and hopefully more hospitals will be involved in the Global Green Healthy Hospital (GGHH) network. The Network sets out to support existing efforts around the world to promote greater sustainability and environmental health in the healthcare sector, and thereby to strengthen health systems globally.

One of GGHH goal is on Water. We know that water is crucial for all aspects of life but only 1% of all freshwater on Earth is available for human use. Wastewater management is essential for a most effective and sustainable future.

The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, and has the longest total coastline in the world. Given this, many Filipinos rely on the ocean as a source of food. Eating seafood from, and actually consuming, contaminated water puts the person in grave risk.

This put emphasis on the need to protect the Philippine waters from contaminants. Small bodies of water such as rivers, streams, and waterfalls are also used for drinking, washing, and cooking. People relying on these may be harmed by the toxins present in the water.

Concern over the world's water supply is likewise increasing. Industrialization and urban development is often seen as a marker of progress, but these developments may also compromise the cleanliness and safety of water supplies. This concern is as relevant as ever, as freshwater demand for industrial applications will increase to 120 billion cubic meters by 2025. (Babu, 2008). An increase in industrialization brings an increased need for better waste management.

The Philippines had made several positive steps to protecting our waters. The Philippine Clean Water Act (2004) requires facilities to obtain a wastewater discharge permit.

Hospitals are also bound to this law. One hospital that sets a positive example is the Philippine Heart Center (PHC). Considered one of the top facilities for cardiovascular treatment, the hospital implements stringent waste water processing.

PHC has noted an increase in water consumption in line with the increase in patients. To process the wastewater produced, the hospital has introduced a Sewerage Treatment Plan (STP). The STP has its own staff to monitor smooth operations around the clock. The facilities also undergo a monthly examination of its water output by independent laboratories.

The STP project cost PHC a big sum of Php10.5 million (approx US$260,000). Although the return of investment (ROI) is not yet significant, PHC expects it in the coming years of operation.

The recycled water is being used to water ornamental plants in the hospital grounds and gardens, and for toilet flushing. As of now they are saving quite a lot in the water consumption because the areas for the ornamental plants and gardens are quite considerable.

The work in waste water treatment takes up time, knowledge, experience, lots of passion, and commitment. As Engr. Barzaga, engineer IV of PHC’s Mechanical Department shares, “For proper wastewater treatment facility to work properly, adequate manpower plus an experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate team should be working on the facility fulltime. As hospital people, it is not only their responsibility to comply with laws but also to make sure to keep the environment healthy for the surrounding communities.”

Setting-up wastewater treatment facilities is a huge investment, but it is the surest way to sustainability of water management and secure our water resources.

A healthier future needs urgent global action for smart investment to improve wastewater management. Wise investments will generate greater return.

<>

Joyce C. Lanuza, HCWH-Asia Admin/Finance Officer

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Medical Waste Awareness at an All-time High in Nepal

A front-page news article in the Himalayan - one of Nepal's leading English language newspapers - reports the government warning that hospitals that do not treat their waste will lose their licences and be forced to shut down. A team lead by a representative from the Prime Minister's office visited three Kathmandu Hospitals in December and found that only one was treating their waste properly. That one hospital was Bir, where HECAF has created a sustainable waste management system with support from HCWH and the World Health Organisation. A short HECAF video about the progress at Bir, by filmmaker Russ Pariseau, can be seen here.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Science and Technology also came to the Energy Week Workshop organised by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and visited HECAF's stall, where they were raising awareness about HCWH's Global Green and Healthy Hospital's, and the potential of biodigestion to treat waste and generate renewable energy in hospitals. Biodigestion is just one of the innovative technologies that are being piloted at Bir, and plans for other hospitals are under development.

Outside of the capital, the Chitwan District Public Health Office, a government institution responsible for Public Health, is also backing HECAF and HCWH's work. The District Public Health Officer is supporting our project to develop waste systems suitable for the small healthposts that so many of the rural population depend on. Suitable pilot facilities have already been identified and the next step will be to raise awareness with facility bosses across the region and field testing some of the priority technologies.

Health Care Without Harm has been working with strategic partners Healthcare Foundation Nepal (HECAF) since 2008 and the issue has never been hotter.

Ruth Stringer, HCWH International Science & Policy Coordinator