title: International governance structures for health-care waste management: a systematic review of scientific literature.
abstract: Significant differences exist in the management of health-care waste management, globally. This is particularly so between low, middle and high-income countries. A systematic review of scientific literature on global healthcare waste management spanning the period 2000 - current was undertaken, in order to identify key policies, practices, challenges and best practice. The findings were analysed considering the Gross National Income and the Human Development Index of each country. Effective regulation and operative definitions of waste categories are key-factors requiring improvement at the national level. The economic conditions in the country are an important factor, especially regarding treatment and disposal. Areas for improvement (e.g. the need for improved governance structures, the development of regional clusters, as well as sharps waste segregation) are suggested.
authors: Research Laboratory on Appropriate Technologies for Environmental Management in Resource-Limited Countries (CeTAmb LAB), University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. Electronic address: marcocaniato@gmail.com.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Caniato
authors: Centre for Sustainable Waste Management, School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton, Northampton, UK.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Tudor
authors: Research Laboratory on Appropriate Technologies for Environmental Management in Resource-Limited Countries (CeTAmb LAB), University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Vaccari
mesh_terms: D058735:Environmental Policy; D006291:Health Policy; D007391:International Cooperation; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D018505:Waste Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal
keywords: Best practices; Challenges; Health-care waste management; Infectious waste; Medical waste; Treatment and disposal