RAMALLAH, October 31, 2007, (WAFA)- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said Wednesday that 86.4 thousands cubic meter are the consumed quantity of water by the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) in the Palestinian Territory, 81.5 of health care centers perform separation of health care waste components.

In a press release about the main results of the environmental survey for health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) during the period from 20/03/2007 to 29/09/2007, PCBS added that “The estimated quantity of water consumed by the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) in the Palestinian Territory during the reference month in the period from February to August, 2007 was 86.4 thousands cubic meter, of which 56.5 thousands cubic meter in the West Bank, and 29.9 thousands cubic meter in health care centers in Gaza Strip”.

“The result of 2007 showed that 84.0% of the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) in the Palestinian Territory get the water for consumption from water network, where 96.1% of the secondary health care centers, and 83.1% of the primary health care centers get the water from the same source, comparing with 81.7%, and 78.7% of the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) in 2006 and 2003 respectively get the water from water network”, PCBS’ press release added.

This survey collect a data about environment in health care centers (governmental and non-governmental). This data for some indicators in compliance with international recommendations in water consumption management of medical waste, and management of wastewater.

“The result of 2007 showed that 34.4% of the health care centers in the Palestinian Territory dispose their wastewater using public network, and 25.4% of the health care centers use tight cesspit, also 40.2% of the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) use porous cesspit”, PCBS said.

PCBS added that “The estimated quantities produced by the health care centers in the Palestinian Territory during the reference month in the period from February to August, 2007 were about 705.5 tons, which 498.6 tons in the West Bank and 206.9 tons in Gaza Strip. 81.5% of the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) in the Palestinian Territory perform separation of health care waste components, while it was 83.1% and 86.4% in 2006 and 2003 respectively.

PCBS concluded that “The percentage of the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental) in the Palestinian Territory that do perform treatment of health care waste in 2007 is about 35.7%. The most important treatment method is the open burning in 76.7% of the health care centers (governmental and non-governmental)”.