Alarm raised over environmental treatment systems in healthcare facilities.

(Baonghean) - Currently, the environmental treatment systems of medical facilities in Nghe An are severely degraded, with toxic indicators exceeding permissible levels by tens of times.

The shared wastewater treatment system of the former Friendship General Hospital in Hung Dung ward (Vinh City) is used to collect and treat wastewater for the following hospitals: Nghe An Oncology Hospital, Nghe An Trauma and Orthopedics Hospital; Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center and Forensic Center. This system is currently managed and operated by the Nghe An Oncology Hospital.

According to the proper procedure, hospital wastewater is discharged through drainage ditches to a coarse filter tank to remove debris, then to an oxygen aeration tank before being transferred to four combined tanks for biological treatment, and finally the water is transferred to a disinfection and equalization tank before being discharged into the North Canal system.

The combined tanks in the wastewater treatment area managed by Nghe An Oncology Hospital have deteriorated and are no longer functioning properly.

However, this system is currently in serious disrepair. The wastewater and surface water collection systems are mixing. Some wastewater is discharged directly into the surface water collection system. In some locations, surface water overflows into the wastewater collection system.

Furthermore, the wastewater collection system here lacks a uniform slope due to inconsistent investment, resulting in wastewater having difficulty flowing in many areas.

The air conditioning tank is in a state of severe disrepair.

The old manholes in the septic tanks are deeper than the new manholes that were renovated in 2007 leading to the treatment plant, so a certain amount of suspended solids will accumulate in the manholes, leading to blockages due to excessive sludge in some manholes.

In addition, the processing equipment has also deteriorated. The equalization tank is built underground with concrete, and it lacks both coarse and fine screening systems, leading to a situation where debris easily gets tangled in the pump, causing it to malfunction.

The tank's current ventilation system is cracked. In particular, the four integrated units constructed of black steel are rusted, and the partitions have been corroded and are deformed.

To maintain their current state, these devices are reinforced with very makeshift bracing frames. The treatment system in the integrated tanks – considered the "center" of the entire hospital wastewater treatment system – is not adequate for treatment. "The biological filter media in the integrated devices has completely deteriorated, and most of the native microorganisms have died. Therefore, pollutants in the waste are not decomposed, so the discharged wastewater does not meet standards," said Mr. Nguyen Cong Khanh, head of the Infection Control Department at Nghe An Oncology Hospital.

According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, the parameters for ensuring water quality when discharged into the environment were all not met: sulfide (S2) exceeded the permitted standard by 12.87 times; ammonia (NH4+) exceeded the permitted standard by 14 times; phosphate (PO43-) exceeded the permitted standard by 10.46 times. The total number of coliform bacteria exceeded the standard by 22 times...

The combined tanks are rusted and decaying.

Mr. Bach Hung Cu, Deputy Head of the Environmental Protection Sub-Department, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, stated: Hospital wastewater discharged into the environment without adequate treatment will contain toxic substances and harmful microorganisms that will enter the environment, causing many diseases in humans such as digestive problems and skin diseases.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Trung, Director of Nghe An Oncology Hospital, said: "The hospital also wants to improve its wastewater treatment system, but faces difficulties with funding. The unit has submitted many proposals seeking opinions to resolve the wastewater treatment system issue. After the funding is approved, the hospital will develop a plan to address this problem."

At the Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital located in Nghi Thu ward (Cua Lo town), the hospital has 5 departments with 200 beds but still lacks a waste and wastewater treatment system.

Mr. Bach Hung Cu stated: “Currently, the province has submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment a list of seriously polluting facilities in 2014. The Ministry will then submit it to the Prime Minister for approval. The central government will provide 50% of the funding for environmental remediation at these facilities, helping to overcome financial difficulties.”

Nhat Le