Cops probe Covid-19 medical waste on roadside

JAKARTA: The Bekasi Metro Police are investigating a pile of medical waste related to Covid-19 on the roadside in Sukakarya District, Bekasi Regency. Most of the medical waste is the used rapid test kits.

“The police are still investigating the source,” Bekasi Health Office secretary Alamsyah said.

Alamsyah said the police have confiscated everything to find out where they came from. However, he ensured that the medical waste did not come from public health centers (Puskesmas) or hospitals in Bekasi.

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“They are not [from government health facilities],” he said.

Alamsyah said that medical waste cannot be disposed of in landfills, and certainly not disposed of carelessly, because it contains hazardous substances.

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Meanwhile, Sukatani Sectoral Police chief Adj. Comr. Makmur said the police received reports that there were heaps of medical waste lying on the roadside. When they checked the area, they found that it was medical waste related to Covid-19.

“The Special Crimes Division of Bekasi Metro Police is investigating it now,” Makmur said.