[Medical waste management in healthcare centres in the occupied Palestinian territory].
Medical waste management in primary and secondary healthcare centres in the occupied Palestinian territory was assessed. The overall monthly quantity of solid healthcare waste was estimated to be 512.6 tons. Only 10.8% of the centres completely segregated the different kinds of healthcare waste and only 15.7% treated their medical waste. In the centres that treated waste, open burning was the main method of treatment. The results indicate that Palestinians are exposed to health and environmental risks because of improper disposal of medical waste and steps are needed to improve the situation through the establishment and enforcement of laws, provision of the necessary infrastructure for proper waste management and training of healthcare workers and cleaners.
Al-Khatib
Issam A
IA
Issam A. Al-Khatib, Environmental Health Unit, Institute of Community and Public Health and Faculty of Engineering, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine. ikhatib@birzeit.edu
D004202:Disinfectants; D004203:Disinfection; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008872:Microwaves; D008877:Middle East; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration
D004202:Disinfectants; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal