The incinerator at the Gozo General Hospital was closed down during the past few days, with clinical waste now being disposed of through a new system that started being utilised last week, while the old incinerator facilities – including the chimney – were dismantled earlier this week.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, speaking during an on-site visit to the Gozo General Hospital, said that the ministry worked in close collaboration with WasteServ Malta Ltd for the closure of the hospital incinerator in Gozo.

Clinical waste generated at the Gozo hospital is being temporarily stored within a refrigerated truck and then transported, according to demand, to the new incineration facilities in Marsa, which also include an energy-recovery component.

There will be no health risk during transfer of the clinical waste, as this will be carried out using specific containers that are fully-compliant with regulations issued by the United Nations on the transport of hazardous waste. This waste will be accepted at the facility according to scheduled appointments, the practice of which allows for better verification.

Mrs Debono said that the former incinerator space at the Gozo General Hospital will now be converted into adequate storage facilities for clinical waste awaiting transportation according to established procedures.

The ministry had submitted an application with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for the dismantling of the incinerator’s chimney, the application of which was approved recently.

She added that the closure of the hospital incinerator will result in a marked improvement for the general environment and to the residents of the vicinity – who have had to bear the inconvenience that the old incinerator created since the setting up of the hospital in 1975 – as there will be fewer emissions.