Healthcare Waste Report - Environment Health

Points to Ponder for Safe Healthcare Waste Disposal
Design & Construction
Are there facilities in place for segregating healthcare waste at the point of generation?
Are there sufficient waste containers of the right sort and design in the right places?
Are there appropriate treatment and disposal facilities in place for the quantity and nature of
healthcare waste produced?
Is there a specific wastedisposal zone with the necessary features?
Operation & Maintenance
Are the segregation facilities used effectively?
Are waste containers emptied, cleaned and replaced or disposed of frequently?
Are the treatment and disposal facilities correctly operated and maintained?
Are waste-related injuries along the waste management chain correctly reported and acted on?
Is the wastedisposal zone operated so as to prevent contamination?
Source: WHO, 2008a
Reuse potential
In most of the developing countries, the sale
of used sharps and plastics is profitable.
Hence, there is a potential for illegal reuse of
used sharps which cause a risk to the entire
community.
Unfortunately, the most of the economically
developing countries experience a mixture of
constraints to manage the healthcare waste
satisfactorily. Usually, few individuals of the
healthcare facilities are familiar with the
procedures required for appropriate waste
management. Hence, it is the responsibility of
national governments to develop a framework
for the controlled disposal of healthcare waste
and to ensure that healthcare centers share the
responsibility to manage wastes appropriately.
This requires a national strategy involving the
concerned ministry and other stakeholders.
Further, creating national action plans,
developing national healthcare waste
management guidelines and building capacity
at the national level are important activities
which can help to minimize risks posed by
healthcare waste to the environment and
public.
CHAPTER 1_INTRODUCTION
FOCUS OF THE REPORT
In developing Asian countries, the importance
and urgency for action on healthcare waste
management has not been duly recognized.
Healthcare waste is yet another waste stream
and has to be advocated for attention among
various other pressing issues.
In this context, the primary objective of this
report is to present and discuss the current
situation of healthcare waste management in
the TWGSHW member countries. A parallel
objective of the report is to understand both
sides of the issue and to bring to limelight the
good practices and banish the bad practices.
Finally the report places evidence-based
recommendations for the betterment of
healthcare waste management, not only in the
member countries of the TWGSHW but in a
regional context.
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