KUWAIT CITY, Dec 27: The Ministry of Health has treated 2,236 tons of medical waste generated in the private health sector over a span of 13 months. The revelation comes as the result of the meticulous operation of a medical waste treatment plant initiated in October 2022, demonstrating the Ministry's commitment to addressing environmental concerns associated with medical waste disposal.

Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, responding to a parliamentary inquiry by MP Majid Al-Mutairi, underscored the legal obligations placed on the Ministry by Environmental Protection Law 42/2016 and its Executive Regulation 6/2016. These regulations mandate the Ministry to take responsibility for mitigating the adverse effects of medical waste disposal from private therapeutic institutions, with the Ministry acting as the licensing authority overseeing and supervising this mechanism.

Dr. Al-Awadhi shed light on the process that led to this achievement, stating, "An auction was conducted among specialized companies, resulting in the selection of a winning bidder. This chosen entity assumed the responsibility of constructing, supplying, and installing the medical waste treatment plant. Additionally, they are tasked with operating, maintaining, and managing the facility for a period of 10 years. Post-contract, ownership of all facilities is transferred to the Ministry of Health in good condition, with compensation facilitated through monthly subscriptions paid by participating institutions for the treatment of their generated medical waste."

Elaborating on the financial aspects, Dr. Al-Awadhi explained, "Companies contribute a fixed monthly subscription fee of 25 dinars, closely monitored by the Ministry. Exceptions to this amount are only permitted if the quantity of expired consumables and medicines surpasses the approved monthly limit of 300 kilograms. In such cases, accounting is done at the rate of 100 fils for every kilogram exceeding the set maximum."

Addressing inquiries about annual fees for companies without medical waste, the Minister clarified, "Contracts are exclusively concluded with companies registered with the Medical Licensing Department and the Drug Control Department. These companies engage in specialized activities related to the supply and storage of health-related materials, consumables, or medicines. These items cannot be disposed of as municipal waste upon expiration or completion of their designated use."

The Ministry also presented statistics outlining the fee structures for waste treatment in the private health sector:

• Private hospitals incur a monthly fee of 600 dinars, with a maximum allowable waste of 7.5 tons.
• Dispensaries and medical centers face fees ranging from 100 to 300 dinars per month, with a maximum waste limit of 3.75 tons.
• Individual clinics are subject to a monthly charge of 50 dinars, with a maximum allowable waste of 750 kilograms.
• Laboratories pay a monthly fee of 60 dinars, with a maximum waste limit of 750 kilograms.
• Pharmacies/companies are obligated to a monthly fee of 25 dinars, with a maximum waste limit of 300 kilograms.