Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong has clarified claims of medical items being dumped at a road side at Naila, Bau in Tailevu.
This comes after residents have claimed that a government vehicle had dumped rubbish by the roadside on Saturday.
They claimed that the bag contained used gloves, used needles, and small tube-like bottles.
Dr Fong said the yellow bag came loose and flew out of the vehicle ending up on the road. He said once informed by bystanders, they (the team) stopped and removed it.
However, resident Silivenusi Ruivadra said it was after 5pm on that day when he saw a government vehicle passed by, and dumped rubbish on the road.
“I ran and tried to stop them but unfortunately, they drove off,” Mr Ruivadra said.
He said other vehicles stopped, took pictures and left and later the same government vehicle returned, and he stopped them.
“They picked the rubbish. I would have picked the rubbish, but I didn’t want to risk myself and my family especially when I saw what was thrown out.
“I hope that nothing like this happens again especially for the safety of Fijians,” he added.
Dr Fong said most of their field teams whether they were swabbing teams, medical teams or disinfection teams, used PPE were required to be properly removed in any case before entering the vehicle.
“For this reason, the drivers usually tie the yellow waste bags at the back of the 4wd vehicles. This has been the practice ever since the beginning of the operation,” Dr Fong said.
He said he was in the Command Center when he was informed and sent a team to assist but upon arrival, there was nothing left on the site.
“This is the first incident to ever occur regarding the current waste management practice and the team will be informed to ensure that it does not happen again.”
Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu
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