Hospital waste management in developing countries: A mini review

Ali, M., Wang, W., Chaudhry, N. and Geng, Y. (2017) Hospital waste management in developing countries: A mini review. Waste Management & Research, 35 (6). pp. 581-592. ISSN 0734-242X

[thumbnail of Ali, M., Wang, W., Chaudhry, N., & Geng, Y. (2017). Hospital waste management in developing countries: A mini review. Waste Management & Research, 35(6), 581–592. © [2017] SAGE Publications https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X17691344] Text (Ali, M., Wang, W., Chaudhry, N., & Geng, Y. (2017). Hospital waste management in developing countries: A mini review. Waste Management & Research, 35(6), 581–592. © [2017] SAGE Publications https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X17691344)
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Abstract

Health care activities can generate different kinds of hazardous wastes. Mismanagement of these wastes can result in environmental and occupational health risks. Developing countries are resource-constrained when it comes to safe management of hospital wastes. This study summarizes the main issues faced in hospital waste management in developing countries. A review of the existing literature suggests that regulations and legislations focusing on hospital waste management are recent accomplishments in many of these countries. Implementation of these rules varies from one hospital to another. Moreover, wide variations exist in waste generation rates within as well as across these countries. This is mainly attributable to a lack of an agreement on the definitions and the methodology among the researchers to measure such wastes. Furthermore, hospitals in these countries suffer from poor waste segregation, collection, storage, transportation and disposal practices, which can lead to occupational and environmental risks. Knowledge and awareness regarding proper waste management remain low in the absence of training for hospital staff. Moreover, hospital sanitary workers, and scavengers, operate without the provision of safety equipment or immunization. Unsegregated waste is illegally recycled, leading to further safety risks. Overall, hospital waste management in developing countries faces several challenges. Sustainable waste management practices can go a long way in reducing the harmful effects of hospital wastes.

Publication Type: Articles
Uncontrolled Keywords: Infectious waste, clinical waste, medical waste, waste generation, sustainable development
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Academic Areas > Business School
Depositing User: Ali Ali
Date Deposited: 08 Mar 2019 16:12
Last Modified: 08 Mar 2019 16:12
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/3853

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