This study assessed the healthcare waste management (HCWM) infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital (KGH), Sierra Leone. We evaluated various aspects of HCWM, including waste segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal. Our findings revealed critical deficiencies, such as inadequate storage facilities, insufficient waste bins, and a lack of dedicated transportation systems. These shortcomings pose significant risks to healthcare workers, the general public, and the environment, including the potential for the spread of infectious diseases and contamination of the environment. To improve HCWM practices at KGH, we recommend implementing several key strategies. These include investing in adequate storage facilities, providing appropriate waste bins, establishing a dedicated waste transportation system, and conducting comprehensive staff training on HCWM protocols. Regular training sessions should cover topics such as waste classification, segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal techniques. By empowering healthcare workers with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can significantly enhance HCWM practices at KGH. Furthermore, it is crucial to establish a robust system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of HCWM interventions. Regular inspections of storage areas, waste bins, and transportation vehicles can help identify and address potential issues. By implementing these recommendations, KGH can improve its HCWM practices and contribute to a healthier and safer environment for its community. Effective HCWM is essential to protect public health and the environment. Poor management of healthcare waste can lead to the spread of infectious diseases, contamination of water sources, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. By addressing the identified deficiencies and implementing best practices, KGH can significantly improve its HCWM performance and reduce the associated risks.
Published in | American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 13, Issue 6) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12 |
Page(s) | 186-191 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Healthcare Waste Management, Infrastructure, Colour Coding, Infectious
[1] | Chinese Ministry of Health - Healthcare Waste Management in China, 2018. |
[2] | Department of Health, South Africa. National Health Care Waste Management Policy. Pretoria: Department of Health, 2010. |
[3] | Ethical and Environmental Implications of Pathological Waste Disposal," Bioethics Journal (2022): Explores the ethical and environmental impacts of pathological waste disposal. |
[4] | EPA (2016). Hospital Medical Waste Incinerators. |
[5] | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Medical Waste, 2020. EPA Medical Waste. |
[6] | Environmental Management (2023): This review provides a detailed analysis of the composition and sources of general waste in hospitals. |
[7] | Goyal, P., & Singh, A. K. (2016). Healthcare waste management in India: A review. Waste Management, 57, 21-34. |
[8] | Gordon JG, Rein Hardt PA, Denys GA (2004): Medical waste management. In: Mayhall CG (ed). Hospital epidemiology and infection control, (3rd). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins publication. Pages: 1773-85. |
[9] | HCWM (2020). Best Practices in Healthcare Waste Management. |
[10] | Laboratory diagnosis, biosafety and quality control. National institute of communicable diseases and national AIDS control organization, Delhi. Pages 26-41. |
[11] | Lwanga, S. H., Nyenzi, B. S., Luggya, A., & Vrijens, M. (2018). Medical waste management in low- and middle-income countries: A review. Waste Management, 74, 468-479. |
[12] | Microwave Technology for Waste Treatment (2021). Innovative Solutions for Hospital Waste. |
[13] | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh. National Health Care Waste Management Guidelines. Dhaka: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 2017. |
[14] | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 2021). |
[15] | Rao SK, Ranyal RK, Bhatia SS, Sharma VR (2004): Biomedical waste management: An infrastructural survey of hospitals, MJAFI, Vol. 60, (4). |
[16] | Recycling in Healthcare (2018). Sustainable Practices in Hospitals. |
[17] | Reprocessing of Medical Devices (2020). Cost Savings and Waste Reduction. |
[18] | Staff Training Programs in Waste Management (2021). Educating Healthcare Workers for Safety and Compliance. |
[19] | Singh et al., 2023: Hospital Waste Management: A Review" by Singh et al., Journal of Environmental Management (2023). |
[20] | Silva CE, Hoppe AE, Ravanello MM, Mello N. Medical wastes management in the south of Brazil. Waste Manag. 2005; 25(6): 600-5. |
[21] | Skad, M., Jedynak, M., Marchewka, A., & Morysińska, M. (2018). Medical waste Management A review of legal regulations and disposal methods. Journal of Environmental Management, 223, 974-982. |
[22] |
UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) (2018). Guidelines for the environmentally sound management of biomedical waste. [
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/475506?ln=en](https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/475506?ln=en ). |
[23] | Veda, H., Kulkarni, R. S., Ajantha, G. S. (2007) Biomedical Waste Management: A Review, Journal of oral and maxillo facial pathology. |
[24] | World Health Organization (WHO) - Healthcare Waste Management, 2018. WHO Healthcare Waste Factsheet. |
[25] | Waste Management Software (2019). Tracking and Reporting for Healthcare Facilities. |
[26] | WHO (2014). Safe management of wastes from health-care activities. WHO Press, Geneva, 2014. |
APA Style
Kamara, A. M., Thullah, G., Mansaray, H. D., Kawa, Y. K. (2024). Assessment of the Healthcare Waste Infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital, Sierra Leone. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 13(6), 186-191. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12
ACS Style
Kamara, A. M.; Thullah, G.; Mansaray, H. D.; Kawa, Y. K. Assessment of the Healthcare Waste Infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital, Sierra Leone. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2024, 13(6), 186-191. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12
AMA Style
Kamara AM, Thullah G, Mansaray HD, Kawa YK. Assessment of the Healthcare Waste Infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital, Sierra Leone. Am J Environ Prot. 2024;13(6):186-191. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12
@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12, author = {Abubakarr Mohamed Kamara and Gibrilla Thullah and Hamidu David Mansaray and Yahaya Kudush Kawa}, title = {Assessment of the Healthcare Waste Infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital, Sierra Leone }, journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {186-191}, doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20241306.12}, abstract = {This study assessed the healthcare waste management (HCWM) infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital (KGH), Sierra Leone. We evaluated various aspects of HCWM, including waste segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal. Our findings revealed critical deficiencies, such as inadequate storage facilities, insufficient waste bins, and a lack of dedicated transportation systems. These shortcomings pose significant risks to healthcare workers, the general public, and the environment, including the potential for the spread of infectious diseases and contamination of the environment. To improve HCWM practices at KGH, we recommend implementing several key strategies. These include investing in adequate storage facilities, providing appropriate waste bins, establishing a dedicated waste transportation system, and conducting comprehensive staff training on HCWM protocols. Regular training sessions should cover topics such as waste classification, segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal techniques. By empowering healthcare workers with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can significantly enhance HCWM practices at KGH. Furthermore, it is crucial to establish a robust system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of HCWM interventions. Regular inspections of storage areas, waste bins, and transportation vehicles can help identify and address potential issues. By implementing these recommendations, KGH can improve its HCWM practices and contribute to a healthier and safer environment for its community. Effective HCWM is essential to protect public health and the environment. Poor management of healthcare waste can lead to the spread of infectious diseases, contamination of water sources, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. By addressing the identified deficiencies and implementing best practices, KGH can significantly improve its HCWM performance and reduce the associated risks. }, year = {2024} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Assessment of the Healthcare Waste Infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital, Sierra Leone AU - Abubakarr Mohamed Kamara AU - Gibrilla Thullah AU - Hamidu David Mansaray AU - Yahaya Kudush Kawa Y1 - 2024/11/26 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12 DO - 10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12 T2 - American Journal of Environmental Protection JF - American Journal of Environmental Protection JO - American Journal of Environmental Protection SP - 186 EP - 191 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2328-5699 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20241306.12 AB - This study assessed the healthcare waste management (HCWM) infrastructure at Kambia Government Hospital (KGH), Sierra Leone. We evaluated various aspects of HCWM, including waste segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal. Our findings revealed critical deficiencies, such as inadequate storage facilities, insufficient waste bins, and a lack of dedicated transportation systems. These shortcomings pose significant risks to healthcare workers, the general public, and the environment, including the potential for the spread of infectious diseases and contamination of the environment. To improve HCWM practices at KGH, we recommend implementing several key strategies. These include investing in adequate storage facilities, providing appropriate waste bins, establishing a dedicated waste transportation system, and conducting comprehensive staff training on HCWM protocols. Regular training sessions should cover topics such as waste classification, segregation, storage, collection, transportation, and disposal techniques. By empowering healthcare workers with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can significantly enhance HCWM practices at KGH. Furthermore, it is crucial to establish a robust system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of HCWM interventions. Regular inspections of storage areas, waste bins, and transportation vehicles can help identify and address potential issues. By implementing these recommendations, KGH can improve its HCWM practices and contribute to a healthier and safer environment for its community. Effective HCWM is essential to protect public health and the environment. Poor management of healthcare waste can lead to the spread of infectious diseases, contamination of water sources, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. By addressing the identified deficiencies and implementing best practices, KGH can significantly improve its HCWM performance and reduce the associated risks. VL - 13 IS - 6 ER -