A major public health disaster looms in Malindi as drug users under the methadone program at Malindi Sub County Hospital are reportedly disposing of medical wastes, including syringes, in public areas. This dangerous practice poses a significant threat to community safety and has been uncovered during the monthly clean-up exercise organized by the Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM).
The clean-up operation, which involved various stakeholders such as the police, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), business community, Kenya Red Cross Society, hoteliers, Malindi Municipality, and the county government, revealed the alarming presence of medical wastes along the roads. The exercise covered the area from Malindi Law Courts junction towards the sub-county hospital up to Coral Key junction.
Drug users, who often gather outside the hospital perimeter, are believed to be irresponsibly discarding used syringes and other medical wastes in public spaces. Kilifi County Executive Member for Health, Peter Mwarogo, who participated in the clean-up, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and pledged to take measures to address the issue.
“Medical wastes such as syringes used by drug addicts are a significant public health threat. We are committed to ensuring that hospital authorities enforce proper waste disposal practices for the safety of the community,” Mwarogo stated. He also praised the efforts of stakeholders in keeping the resort town clean, emphasizing its importance for tourism.
Mwarogo further mentioned ongoing efforts to train and sensitize drug users on proper waste disposal practices to mitigate the risks associated with improperly discarded medical wastes. “We are training them to move away from drugs and to ensure the wastes are cleaned up quickly,” he said.
Kate Mwikali, Chairperson of PWAM, highlighted the collaborative efforts during the clean-up and the discovery of a significant amount of medical and bio-waste near the hospital. She urged the municipality to remove illegal structures and plant trees to beautify the area. “It’s dangerous; we had children with us today, and we had to ensure they were not near the medical wastes as they could be harmed,” Mwikali noted.
Mwikali called for the establishment of segregation bins, including biohazard bins, to provide a safe disposal option for medical wastes. Effue Opiyo, Chairperson of Malindi Green and Blue, echoed these sentiments, focusing on the importance of pollution control and public awareness. “We are concentrating on the medical wastes and the hospital’s responsibility for proper waste incineration and disposal,” Opiyo said.
The stakeholders’ united effort underscores the urgent need for effective waste management practices to safeguard public health and maintain Malindi’s status as a premier tourist destination.
