Over a million KM for safer healthcare: Zenica Cantonal Hospital gets new infectious waste facility

(Patria) - With joint funds from the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton, the Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of BiH, and the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, a project for the construction of a new building and facility for the management of infectious medical waste has been realized, marking a significant step forward in improving the healthcare system and environmental protection in this canton.

This is a modern facility that enables the sterilization of medical waste at high temperatures, after which it is converted into non-infectious municipal waste, making it significantly easier for further disposal. The facility's capacity is around 100 tons per year, which is sufficient for the needs of the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, as well as other healthcare institutions in the Zenica-Doboj Canton.

The Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nezir Pivić, emphasized that this project is part of a broader cycle of investments in the healthcare sector.

- This is just one of a series of projects we are implementing in healthcare, especially at the Zenica Cantonal Hospital. We have already secured around 20 million KM for the first phase of the new hospital construction, and in the coming period, we expect the realization of other significant projects. The conceptual design for the new building of the Zenica Cantonal Hospital is also underway, which confirms our commitment to continuously improving healthcare infrastructure – said Prime Minister Pivić.

The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Goran Bulajić, reminded that the realization of this project began ten years ago.

- This project was initiated when I was the cantonal minister for the environment, and funds from the Environmental Protection Fund were secured. Today, we witness its successful realization, which shows that the Government of ZDK and the management of the Zenica Cantonal Hospital have the capacity to implement even the most demanding projects – stated Bulajić.

The Director of the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, Tarik Zulović, emphasized that the value of the project exceeds one million KM and explained the facility's operation. According to him, medical waste is sterilized in this facility at a temperature of 135 degrees Celsius, converting it into small, non-infectious municipal waste. This minimizes the amount of infectious waste disposed of at the Mošćanica regional landfill.

- The facility's capacity allows for waste management not only from the Zenica Cantonal Hospital but also from other healthcare institutions in the canton – said Zulović, adding that agreements will be signed with other healthcare institutions in the coming period for the provision of infectious medical waste management services.