Brief on training workshop at Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan
Environmental Protection Agency arranged a one day training session with the health officials, public
and private hospitals managers and doctors. The aim of the workshop is to spread awareness
regarding the Silicosis and Hospital Waste Management in the conference room of Mardan Medical
Complex, District Mardan. There were three sessions in the training workshop and Mr. Zia Ul Islam,
Chief Executive Mardan Medical Complex. The first session was conducted by Deputy Director
Technical; Mr. Sanaullah Khan who briefly described the role of EPA in the protection of overall
environment and specifically the health related issues. He then highlighted the Silicosis disease and
its causes, he was of the view that Stone crushing has long been associated with exposure to
airborne crystalline silica dust to both workers and those residing in close proximity to these
operations Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dusts (sized between 0.5 and 5.0 micrograms
some reports say 1-10 micrograms) causes silicosis. Silicosis (particularly the acute form) is
characterized by Shortness of breath, cough, fever, and cyanosis (bluish skin). It may often be
misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pneumonia, or tuberculosis. In this regard
agency has also written letters to all the deputy commissioners to ensure the dust control room,
green shade/cloth around the crush plant and sprinkling of water. Moreover EPA will ensure the
same from the crush plants owners before issuance of NOC.
The second session was on the Hospital Waste management conducted by training officer, Shoaib
Ahmad in which the Hospital Management Rules 2005 were presented to the participants. These
rules are most comprehensive guidelines for the collection, storage, transportation and disposal of
solid waste. Most of the hospitals of Mardan are facing the hospital waste issue because of the lack
of incineration facility.
Mr. Essa Khan, Assistant Director gave a little about the performance of the Divisional Office Mardan
and how the agency has taken the responsibility to handle the situation. In the end Mr. Zai ul Islam
addressed the participants, appreciated the role of EPA and distributed certificates in the end.