By Godwin Abedican

Arua

The authorities of Arua city in a bid to contain any possible out break and spread of diseases, have ordered for the immediate closure of all clinics or drug shops or any drug outlet facilities in Odramacaku border town, a town lying at the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), that do not have the necessary equipment for proper management of medical waste.

On Tuesday 22^nd August 2023, Arua City Development Forum organized a community dialogue to debate on issues that affect the community.
During the same, the community raised concerns of possible outbreak of diseases and spread from the medical wastes that are being carelessly disposed by the owners of the drug outlets. This prompted the city leadership to immediately call for the closure of such facilities.

Speaking during the dialogue, Wadri Sam Nyakua, the city Mayor Arua ordered for an immediate implementation of the directive as many lives have already been put at risk “If clinics, drug shops and maybe pharmacies cannot properly dispose-off the medical wastes, then they should be closed. I am giving a directive to the Health Officer of the city to immediately close such drug shops and clinics because they are exposing the people “wanainchi” to real danger. It cannot be accepted,” Nyakua warned bitterly.

 
A pit containing some medical wastes dumped

The mayor relatedly noted some gaps by official responsible for the setting-up of and operationalization of the facilities saying the gaps need to be fixed to save the people from getting infected. “There could be an issue of inspection gaps, there could be an issue of negligence, but we are going there. If it is because of lack of inspection, we have already alerted them, but most importantly they need to be reprimanded very very heavily,” he said. 

Leti Favorite the environment officer for Ayivu Division appreciates the move taken by the leaders saying, if this is done it will go a long way in solving a bigger problem. “I concur with the decision Mayor has come up with. Medical wastes are hazardous wastes which cannot be mixed with other types of wastes. They need special treatment. In all the Health Center III’s, we have incinerators. Since some of the medical wastes are explosive in nature that is where they are supposed to be burnt. It’s a good move if this happens,” he recommended.

He adds that there is no benefit in treating minor illnesses and at the end of it all bring complications to people’s lives.  “If you are helping or providing services to take care of people’s lives, what you use to help the people if you don’t take proper care if the wastes , you instead become a problem to the people. Those operating without these equipment, their businesses should be closed and licenses withdrawn. I noticed that these medical wastes are being disposed anyhow some being thrown behind houses where people don’t move frequently which is something very wrong,” he added.

 
Leti Favorite the environment officer for Ayivu Division speaking during the dialogue
 
According to Juruni Essau the Chairperson LC1 of Nunu cell where the market is located, the proprietors of these facilities have intentionally refused to adhere to directives given to them concerning the medical waste management.

He says, previously the in charge of the nearest health center III called upon the owners and proprietors of drug outlets to be taking their waste to the heath facility where there is an incinerator but to no avail.

“At Odramacaku, the management of medical waste is not okay. We had one of the clinics closed over the same but after being told to put things right, it has been reopened without any inspection done and services are going on. Right now others are being deposited across river Beremu, a water source that many people use. All these facilities were supposed to take their waste to Ayivuni Health Center III, but they don’t want to take there,” Juruni explained.

He says some people have resorted to burying these wastes in un-gazzetted places especially at night. “People sometimes burn them in places like football fields at night which causes health hazards to the people. I will be very happy if this directive can have a proper follow-up. It is true that they are helping us but they should not become health hazards for us,” he added.

 
Juruni Essau the Chairperson LC1 of Nunu cell during an interview
 
In an interview with one Draru Robina, who by press time was working in one of the clinics at the market, expressed ignorance over how some of the medical waste they generate are managed.  “For the few days I have spent here, I normally see him (my boss) putting the wastes in a bucket, then after they have accumulated he takes them away from here. The boxes he burns but the sharps, I do not know where he takes them exactly. I am not sure of it because I have just stayed here for a few days and my boss is not around he could speak over that better”, Draru explained.

Odramacaku town has a total of around six drug shops, two clinics that allegedly do illegal admissions with many other uncontrolled outlets at the borders especially on DRC side where people get to buy the drugs and access medical services.


Some of the medical waste disposed by drug outlets

COVER PHOTO: Wadri Sam Nyakua, Arua city mayor while speaking to the vendors and community members By Godwin Abedican