THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through the Covid-19 Emergency Response Project, has successfully completed the construction of the second of four medical waste incinerator facilities.
This endeavor, funded by the World Bank, was managed by the Project Management Unit (PMU) under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. The facility is now poised for official handover to Tulagi Hospital, marking a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and waste management capacity in the Central Province.
Earlier this year, the initial incinerator shed facility was successfully completed at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Tetere, Guadalcanal Province. The forthcoming phase will involve the construction and installation of the remaining two incinerator sheds and associated facilities at the Noro Area Health Centre and Kilufi Hospital. This initiative underscores the MHMS commitment to bolstering healthcare infrastructure and waste management capabilities across the country.
Built by local construction company RSF Construction Limited, Managing Director George Noda says this is the first time for his company to construct and install incinerator facilities, but so far they have learnt a lot from the first 2 projects.
“This project is a first for R.S.F, we are very fortunate to be doing these types of projects, as such opportunities in specialized services such as the installation of medical waste incinerators for local companies are a rare come by, plus the experience is a bonus for us if we plan on applying for similar projects in the future.”
“My boys have learnt a lot from the first 2 projects and we are confident and looking forward to completing and delivering the remaining 2 incinerator projects in Malaita and Western Provinces, “said RSF Director Mr Noda.
Meanwhile Project Manager for Project Management Unit Harry Kereseka says they are impressed and pleased with the progress so far with the completion of the first 2 incinerator projects.
“Our technical team recently inspected the progress of work out there and are satisfied that the workmanship shown by the local contractor has met our expectations and we are so far impressed with how work has progressed with the first 2 incinerator project.”
“We are looking forward towards the official handover of the Tulagi incinerator in the coming weeks and also to the mobilization and start of the 3rd incinerator project site”.
“The construction and installation of the incinerators are just one part, the other part of the project includes training for relevant MHMS bio-medical engineers and infrastructure officers who will provide ongoing support to the daily operations of the incinerators,” said Mr Kereseka.