AEF Eerste River Medical Centre

completed

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW SUMMARYProject Name South Africa-Eerste River Medical CenterRegion Sub-Saharan AfricaSector HospitalsProject No. 008042 February 10, 1997______________________________________________________________________________1. The Eerste River Medical Center (ERMC) project, which is to be financed through the Africa Enterprise Fund (AEF), involves the establishment of a 60 bed medical center in Cape Town. The center will cater to working class to middle class clientele, and will benefit from referrals from overcrowded public hospitals. The project has Been cleared by the local Department of Health and the Local Municipality. Total project cost is estimated at US$5.0 million of which AEF has been requested to provide US$717,000 in financing 2. This is a Category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines, or design criteria. The key environmental health and safety issues that were analyzed are as follows:· handling and disposal of medical materials;· disposal of medical and bio-hazardous waste;· liquid waste and sewage disposal;· power and water supply;· hygiene and implementation of good hospital management practices;· contracting of a professional hospital management team;· CFCs;· employee health and safety training; and· fire protection.IFC has reviewed the environmental health and safety information submitted by ERMC which outlines how they propose to deal with all of the above listed issues. The relevant elements of these proposals, as regards the key issued listed above, are described below.3. Waste Disposal: ERMC will dispose of all sewage and liquid waste via the main municipal sewer service operated by the Regional Services Council. ERMC are not, at this stage, installing an incinerator. All medical and hazardous waste will be removed from the site by a licensed medical waste company. Non medical/hazardous waste will be separated from medical waste and disposed of via municipal services. ERMC will ensure that there is no disposal of waste (liquid/solid) on site.4. Power and Water: Power and water will respectively be supplied from the national grid by Escom and the local water authority. ERMC will be equipped with backup power supply units, all fuel storage tanks associated with these units will be provided with secondary containment structures.6. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon): ERMC has confirmed that all cold storage and air conditioning equipment installed in the hospital will utilize CFC-free refrigerants.7. Fire Safety: The medical center has been designed to incorporate the necessary measures to minimize the risks associated with wind loads, seismic activity and fire protection. Fire protection equipment to be installed includes the following: marking and signposting; emergency lighting; smoke and fire alarms; strategically located hydrants and extinguishers; and automatic sprinkler systems. All staff will be trained in emergency and fire safety response procedures. ERMC’s fire safety plans have been reviewed and cleared by the Regional Services Council.8. Health and Safety Training: All employees will be required to undergo an occupational health and safety training program. Employees health will be screened at the hiring stage, and health also be monitored on a regular basis during employment. Strict instructions/training will be given to staff based on their responsibilities. This will also include the training of cleaning and maintenance staff, to ensure that appropriate cleaning chemicals are used for different areas of the medical center. ERMC will establish an Infection Control Committee, headed by a Nurse and a Control Officer.9. Management Team: ERMC will be managed by a professional management team, several of the members of which have prior/current experience in working on the committees of various clinics and medical centers. The team includes individuals with medical, legal, and business experience in the field of health care. ERMC is also exploring the possibility of teaming up with a major South African hospital group, who would be involved in the management and administration of ERMC.10. Based on its review of the information and commitments provided/made by ERMC, IFC concludes that the proposed project is being designed and will be operated to meet Government of the Republic of South Africa requirements, as well as all relevant World Bank policies and environmental, health and safety guidelines. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.lb\aef\safrica\ermc.ers