The Gozo General Hospital and WasteServ, in response to a statement issued by Labour Spokesperson Leo Brincat regarding the hazardous waste disposal from the hospital, said that “the allegation that the waste was dumped illegally is completely unfounded and inaccurate.”

“The disposal of clinical waste is always been carried out by incineration, as is required by the law,” the joint statement said.

“The proceedure for the transportation of waste, is that MEPA has to issue a consignment note permit before transportation. WasteServ is informed and a copy of the permit is forwarded to them.

“In 2011 there was a case where a consignment note permit had alread expired when the waste was being transported to a WasteServ approved facility. MEPA fined all the entities involved in the matter.

“There was also a case when the removal of asbestos, which was carried out by a private contractor, was not covered by a consigment note permit and use was also made of an unauthorised storage facility. MEPA also intervened in this case. Under the terms of the tender for the removal of asbestos from the General Hospital in Gozo, the contractor was deemed responsible and paid the fines due. WasteServ had no involvment with the case,” the hoint statement concluded.

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