Public Health Risks from Mismanagement of Healthcare Wastes in Shinyanga Municipality Health Facilities, Tanzania

Type Journal Article - The Scientific World Journal
Title Public Health Risks from Mismanagement of Healthcare Wastes in Shinyanga Municipality Health Facilities, Tanzania
Author(s)
Volume 2015
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
URL https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2015/981756/abs/
Abstract
The increase of healthcare facilities in Shinyanga municipality has resulted in an increase of healthcare wastes, which poses serious
threats to the environment, health workers, and the general public.This research was conducted to investigate management practices
of healthcare wastes in Shinyanga municipality with a view of assessing health risks to health workers and the general public. The
study, which was carried out in three hospitals, involved the use of questionnaires, in-depth interview, and observation checklist.The
results revealed that healthcare wastes are not quantified or segregated in all the three hospitals. Healthcare wastes at the Shinyanga
Regional Referral Hospital are disposed of by on-site incineration and burning and some wastes are disposed off-site. At Kolandoto
DDH only on-site burning and land disposal are practiced, while at Kambarage UHC healthcare solid wastes are incinerated,
disposed of on land disposal, and burned. Waste management workers do not have formal training in waste management techniques
and the hospital administrations pay very little attention to appropriate management of healthcare wastes. In light of this, it is evident
that management of healthcare solid wastes is not practiced in accordance with the national and WHO’s recommended standards.

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