Medical waste found in trash

THE HEALTH MINISTER yesterday promised to launch an immediate investigation following the discovery of hundreds of blood-stained medical microscope slides in a Limassol recycling bin.

A resident of the town yesterday told the Mail that he went to deposit some wine bottles in the recycling bin placed in the market area of Lelas Karayianni Street on Friday afternoon.

“To my horror I discovered hundreds of glass microscope slides complete with blood samples dumped at the top of the bin. They were wrapped in plastic bags, but most were split and scattered all over the place.”

Andy Webster added that, “this is obviously medical waste from a local laboratory and I hate to think what the consequences could be if somebody reaches into the bin and cuts themselves. The risk of HIV or hepatitis readily springs to mind.”

He said that he fears for the safety of a local woman who he knows, “regularly rummages through the bin.”

According to Webster, the slides were still there yesterday afternoon.

Upon hearing of the discovery, Health Minister Charis Charalambous described it as, “disturbing”, and promised to look into it as a matter of urgency.

“I cannot at this point speculate as to who is responsible”, he said, thanking us for bringing the matter to his attention.

When asked what the standard procedures are regarding the disposal of medical waste, Charalambous said that the hospitals, “hermetically seal all waste and it is taken away by a private company who incinerate it in Limassol.”

Green Party leader, George Perdikis described the dumping as, “terrible”, saying that whoever is responsible must be held accountable. “Measures must be taken immediately in order to safeguard public health,” he said.

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