Operators of private clinics and other medical facilities in Thika West sub-county have been warned against careless disposal of medical waste that can be be detrimental to public health.
The warning was issued on Thursday by Thika West sub-county environment officer Janet Kanini at Makongeni during a regular inspection of various clinics.
Kanini noted that various private health facilities in the area had no elaborate mechanisms to dispose off medical wastes coming from them warning that they risk closure.
"If by January next year the facilities we have raised our concerns on will not have met our requirements, we will have no option but to close them down", warned Kanini.
She asserted that the continuing reckless disposal of medical wastes by some clinics in the area was a huge health hazard to area residents.
"They have been exposing residents to a grave health hazard by not disposing their wastes appropriately. We cannot allow this to continue and the set rules and guidelines pertaining disposal of medical wastes must be followed," added Kanini.
She said they will extend their inspections to other areas in the sub-county to ensure that other clinic operators were operating within the set environmental rules and guidelines.