Investigation of the factors enabling the development of medical waste treatment in Kathmandu, Nepal
Karki, Menju (2020-06-18)
18.06.2020
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020042923301
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020042923301
Tiivistelmä
Medical waste generated from healthcare facilities (HCFs) is one of the most hazardous wastes worldwide. In the context of Kathmandu, medical waste management is found to be insufficient, because of various factors that results in mixing medical waste with the municipality waste
as well as the potential negative consequences of open burning. Also, using low standards in incineration leads to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) into fields, soil, and water sources thus contaminating daily consumer products such as fish, and vegetables. Notably, there
is inadequate medical waste treatment facilities in Kathmandu (also entire Nepal). The research question seeks to identify factors that enable the development of a suitable medical waste treatment facility in Kathmandu district. The objectives include inquiry of the categories, characteristics, and volume of healthcare waste. Furthermore, the research discusses current healthcare waste management and the adoption of suitable technology.
The literature ascertain different types of medical waste, management of the medical waste, stakeholders’ activities, economic factors, and capacity building in choice of technology. A background analysis of the case profile: Kathmandu, Nepal has also been provided from which secondary data has been retrieved for designing the survey questionnaire. In Kathmandu district, a total of 1 072 Health Care Facilities (HCFs), which includes both government and private centers, are registered in the government database. Nonetheless, there are several HCFs without proper registration or operating license from the government. A google form survey questionnaire was sent via emails to representatives of the HCFs and also direct phone calls were made from Finland to Nepal during the data collection periods. The findings revealed that a total of 1 072 HCFs generated approximately 11 315,55 kg/day of hazardous medical waste and 27 350,1 kg/day of non-hazardous medical waste that made a total of 38 665,65 kg/day of medical waste in Kathmandu district. Besides, other findings revealed that autoclave is the most popular technology in the area. Yet, the majority of the HCFs have not received adequate medical waste management training even once a year. The research divulges that most of the HCFs do not record any injury-related to the handling of medical waste. Surprisingly, the results showed that 75,5% of the respondents preferred a healthcare waste treatment facility and they wish to have it built outside of their healthcare unit.
In conclusion, this research recommends that: government should establish a medical waste treatment facility in Kathmandu by having autoclave as the choice of technology. Private sector healthcare facilities should also be involved to bring together a sustainable medical waste management system for the city as well as more medical waste treatment facilities in Nepal. There should also be strict government rules and regulations regarding medical waste management.
as well as the potential negative consequences of open burning. Also, using low standards in incineration leads to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) into fields, soil, and water sources thus contaminating daily consumer products such as fish, and vegetables. Notably, there
is inadequate medical waste treatment facilities in Kathmandu (also entire Nepal). The research question seeks to identify factors that enable the development of a suitable medical waste treatment facility in Kathmandu district. The objectives include inquiry of the categories, characteristics, and volume of healthcare waste. Furthermore, the research discusses current healthcare waste management and the adoption of suitable technology.
The literature ascertain different types of medical waste, management of the medical waste, stakeholders’ activities, economic factors, and capacity building in choice of technology. A background analysis of the case profile: Kathmandu, Nepal has also been provided from which secondary data has been retrieved for designing the survey questionnaire. In Kathmandu district, a total of 1 072 Health Care Facilities (HCFs), which includes both government and private centers, are registered in the government database. Nonetheless, there are several HCFs without proper registration or operating license from the government. A google form survey questionnaire was sent via emails to representatives of the HCFs and also direct phone calls were made from Finland to Nepal during the data collection periods. The findings revealed that a total of 1 072 HCFs generated approximately 11 315,55 kg/day of hazardous medical waste and 27 350,1 kg/day of non-hazardous medical waste that made a total of 38 665,65 kg/day of medical waste in Kathmandu district. Besides, other findings revealed that autoclave is the most popular technology in the area. Yet, the majority of the HCFs have not received adequate medical waste management training even once a year. The research divulges that most of the HCFs do not record any injury-related to the handling of medical waste. Surprisingly, the results showed that 75,5% of the respondents preferred a healthcare waste treatment facility and they wish to have it built outside of their healthcare unit.
In conclusion, this research recommends that: government should establish a medical waste treatment facility in Kathmandu by having autoclave as the choice of technology. Private sector healthcare facilities should also be involved to bring together a sustainable medical waste management system for the city as well as more medical waste treatment facilities in Nepal. There should also be strict government rules and regulations regarding medical waste management.