| Health-care
waste management in India.
Health-care waste management in India is receiving greater attention
due to recent regulations (the Biomedical Wastes (Management &
Handling) Rules, 1998). The prevailing situation is analysed covering
various issues like quantities and proportion of different constituents
of wastes, handling, treatment and disposal methods in various health-care
units (HCUs). The waste generation rate ranges between 0.5 and 2.0
kg bed-1 day-1. It is estimated that annually about 0.33 million
tonnes of waste are generated in India. The solid waste from the
hospitals consists of bandages, linen and other infectious waste
(30-35%), plastics (7-10%), disposable syringes (0.3-0.5%), glass
(3-5%) and other general wastes including food (40-45%). In general,
the wastes are collected in a mixed form, transported and disposed
of along with municipal solid wastes. At many places, authorities
are failing to install appropriate systems for a variety of reasons,
such as non-availability of appropriate technologies, inadequate
financial resources and absence of professional training on waste
management. Hazards associated with health-care waste management
and shortcomings in the existing system are identified. The rules
for management and handling of biomedical wastes are summarised,
giving the categories of different wastes, suggested storage containers
including colour-coding and treatment options. Existing and proposed
systems of health-care waste management are described. A waste-management
plan for health-care establishments is also proposed, which includes
institutional arrangements, appropriate technologies, operational
plans, financial management and the drawing up of appropriate staff
training programmes.
Source
Key facts
- Of the total amount of waste generated by health-care activities,
about 85% is general, non-hazardous waste.
- The remaining 15% is considered hazardous material that may
be infectious, toxic or radioactive.
- Every year an estimated 16 billion injections are administered
worldwide, but not all of the needles and syringes are properly
disposed of afterwards.
- Health-care waste contains potentially harmful microorganisms,
which can infect hospital patients, health workers and the general
public.
- Health-care waste in some circumstances is incinerated, and
dioxins, furans and other toxic air pollutants may be produced
as emissions.
Health-care activities protect and restore health
and save lives. But what about the waste and by-products they generate?
Of the total amount of waste generated by health-care
activities, about 85% is general, non-hazardous waste comparable
to domestic waste. The remaining 15% is considered hazardous material
that may be infectious, toxic or radioactive.
Source
Interviews
We plan to do einterviews with MBBS doctors to understand 4 things
1) Tests or questions you ask in first few meetings
2) What it means in medical terms
3) What it means in non medical terms
4) What should the patient or care takers do
We might interview Aurvedic doctors, homeopathic doctors, Yoga teachers
on this health issue
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