Local hospital responses to plastic waste
Recently, the Da Nang General Hospital’s staff have been involved in creating a green space in their working place in a bid to build a green, clean and beautiful hospital landscape, as well as bring satisfaction for patients at their healthcare facility.
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Recently, the Da Nang General Hospital’s staff have been involved in creating a green space in their working place in |
In particular, in response to the hospital’s anti-plastic waste campain, plastic water bottles used in the hospital’s meetings, conferences and seminars have been replaced with glass ones since June.
In addition, the hospital has replaced plastic cups with paper ones at its public drinking places for patients to use.
Holding a paper cup, 73-year-old Le Thi Chau from Thanh Khe District, said “I like using the paper cup which is environment-friendly”.
Mr Ho Van Tin, 54, from Hai Chau District highly lauded the use of paper cups when drinking water at the hospital. He added unlike disposable ones, paper cups are easily decomposed after being thrown into the environment.
According to Ms On Thu Van, Deputy Head of the hospital’s Administration Department, a monthly average of about 20,000 paper cups have been used at the hospital. Moreover, the hospital’s anti-plastic waste campain has been widely publicised amongst its staff by displaying environmental protection banners and slogans across the hospital, and in the mass media.
“In addition, the hospital’s staff have been actively involved in encouraging patients and their caregivers, and charity organisations, to reduce the use of nylon bags, and foam and single-use plastic food containers ” she added.
Most notably, the hospital’s Youth Union members actively clean up the environment, and place pots of green plants and flowers in patient rooms and along the hospital’s corridors, every Sunday.
Currently, potted plants are placed at all 49 hospital departments and rooms in order to create fresh air and green landscape.
Besides, ‘No smoking’ signs have been placed around the hospital to remind patients and their caregivers to not smoke in the hospital.
Director of the Da Nang General Hospital Le Duc Nhan remarked apart from enhancing the quality of medical check-ups and treatment, how to make the hospital a greener, cleaner and more beautiful place is one of the hospital’s important criteria.
Mr Nhan noted his hospital is planning to design paper bags to pack medicine instead of plastic ones.
By LAM PHUONG - Translated by MAI DUNG