DA requests performance audit on medical waste removal

18 May 2016

I will today write to the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bafana Msibi, of the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC), to request that he institutes a performance audit, as recommended by the Auditor-General (A-G), into the medical waste removal and disposal sector.

After visiting nine hospitals nationwide between December 2015 and January 2016 to look into their medical waste collection, storage, removal and disposal systems, and finding gross irregularities, I petitioned the A-G to investigate the financial affairs of the industry.

In his letter to me dated 6 May, the A-G, Mr. Kimi Makwetu, agreed to intervene by inserting two new reporting requirements for all provincial departments in the 2015-2016 audit cycle:

- A review of the internal control processes for the removal of medical and general waste and the cost charged for waste removal; and

- A review of the internal control procedures over the disposal of medical waste.

But in writing to me, the A-G went on to say that because of the “extent of the issues you highlighted in your letter would require much deeper expertise than we can offer, I would propose that you seek a performance audit that would be led by persons who possess the technical capabilities to fulfill an independent investigation on your request.”

Acting therefore in accordance with recommendations of the A-G, I today approached the OHSC, the appropriate, fit and proper body, to lead the performance audit. To assist the OHSC in its work, I attach a document titled Healthcare Risk Waste Practices that identifies 85 aspects of best and safe practices requiring investigation and that ought to be followed in the “cradle to grave” approach to the safe removal and disposal of medical waste.

After regularly visiting hospitals and clinics across the country, it is my view that the governance of medical waste removal is in a dreadful state in many provinces. It is of the greatest importance that the OSHC conducts a performance audit in order to remove the threats to public health and health-facility infection control that sloppy medical waste storage, removal and disposal pose. It is a bloody business and should be put on a sound and proper footing once and for all.

Issued by Wilmot James, DA Shadow Minister of Health, 18 May 2016