The Speaker of the House of Representatives Majority Bloc, Richard Nagbe Koon, officially broke ground for the construction of an incinerator at the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital on Monday, March 17. Speaking during the ceremony, Speaker Koon emphasized that the incinerator would save the hospital over $74,000 annually, funds which could then be redirected to other critical areas of the hospital’s operations.
“JFK is overwhelmed with numerous challenges, and that has an impact on its functioning. That’s why I decided to focus on addressing some of the immediate needs, and this project is one of the most pressing,” Koon said. “From here, I expect to discover other areas that require attention, and I will continue to initiate solutions.”
Koon also touched on the renovation of the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA) building, which will allow students to return to their original classrooms and free up space for patients. He said the $20,000 project would be completed within 90 days.
“In addition to the incinerator project, I am looking at the space currently occupied by students. Our next step will be to find alternative accommodations for the school, which will allow us to expand our capacity for patient care,” Koon explained.
Incinerators are used to manage and destroy various forms of clinical waste, including infectious materials, pathological waste, sharps, and pharmaceuticals, through high-temperature combustion. Speaker Koon confirmed that this initiative fulfills a promise he made during a recent tour of JFK’s medical facilities.
Dr. Linda Birch, CEO of JFK, praised the Speaker for his efforts, stressing the critical importance of waste management in a hospital setting. She noted that effective waste disposal plays a vital role in preventing disease outbreaks and protecting public health.
“In a hospital, the management of waste, especially medical waste, is crucial for infection prevention and control. The population depends on how we manage our waste, and we take this responsibility very seriously,” Dr. Birch stated. “On behalf of the management and staff of JFK, I want to express our sincere thanks to the Speaker for his support.”
The incinerator project is expected to improve the hospital’s ability to manage waste safely and efficiently, further contributing to the health and safety of both patients and the surrounding community.
