Victory Global Holdings Limited, which failed to collect clinical waste by licensed clinical waste collectors at the place where it was produced or deliver the clinical waste via healthcare professionals directly to the licensed Chemical Waste Treatment Centre in Tsing Yi for disposal in accordance with the legislation, was convicted and fined a total of $94,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 14) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste) (General) Regulation.
Staff of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted blitz operations at premises and found that Victory Global Holdings Limited had illegally transported a total of 126kg of clinical waste produced from vaccinations from various locations where outreach vaccination activities were held to the company's office in Tuen Mun for temporary storage, contravening the requirements of the above regulation. The department prosecuted the company under the Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste) (General) Regulation after investigations and gathering evidence.
A spokesman for the EPD said that the department was very concerned about the illegal transport of clinical waste by individual medical institutions, and would continuously carry out blitz inspections at different medical institutions and premises where vaccinations would be given so as to combat the illegal transport of clinical waste. The spokesman added that some clinical waste, such as needles or other sharp instruments, might carry infectious substances. Such objects pose dangers to members of the public and cause environmental pollution if they are handled improperly during the process of transport.
According to the Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste) (General) Regulation, clinical waste must be delivered by licensed clinical waste collectors or healthcare professionals from its place of production to the licensed Chemical Waste Treatment Centre for disposal. Otherwise, it is an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000. The EPD reminded all responsible people and staff of medical institutions that they must properly arrange for authorised persons to collect, deliver and dispose of clinical waste in accordance with the law. The department will continue to promote to health workers and medical institutions the ways and importance of properly handling clinical waste through seminars and workshops with the Hospital Authority, the Department of Health, tertiary institutions and medical professional bodies as well as thematic pamphlets and website. Members of the public and property management offices may report any suspected illegal collection, transport or disposal of clinical waste to the EPD at 2835 1055.
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