Healthcare Waste Management in Hospitals: The Case of all Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation Training Center (Alert) Hospital in Addis Ababa
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2019-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Hospitals are among the complex institutions which generate a broad range of hazardous waste materials those are potentially high risk for human health and for the environment if not properly handled. This study dealt with the assessment of the existing practice, challenges and impacts of the HCWM of Alert Hospital. Descriptive research design was used. Both primary and secondary data have been used. Primary data has been collected through the use of questionnaires, interviews, Focus Group Discussion and personal observation. The researcher chose the respondents of this study using non probability sampling procedures. The questionnaires were designed in order to get the feedback from the Healthcare institute about the existing waste management practice of Alert Hospital, interviews conducted with the cleaners of the Hospital who are expected to be the most victim groups. The research data analysis mainly used qualitative data analysis methods using Microsoft excel. The study identified the existing waste management practices, challenges facing to handle HCW, and the impacts of HCW onhealth and environment. The study discoveredreasons for low performance of HCWM in the healthcare institute as: lack of awareness, negligence, insufficient PPE, lack of standardized incinerator, lack of auditing and controlling mechanism and absence of certification system by EPA. Lack of proper attention from concerned bodies in general and commitment from the management of the hospital in particular and others are becoming a threat for staff members and beneficiaries because of the unsafe management of hazardous wastes. The MOH, EPA and other stakeholders need to revise the existing system and their policy to incorporate this risk issue. Thus, the researcher recommends that the current waste management practice needs to improve its waste management practice by arranging awareness creation program, working in collaboration with EPA, and adopting auditing and certification mechanisms, minimizing or reducing the existed challenges and revising and developing practical policy and applying the existing one
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Healthcare Waste Management in Hospitals: The Case of all Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation Training Center (Alert) Hospital in Addis Ababa