Ensure proper disposal of medical waste in Bangladesh

Nishat Sharmin Seoul, MBBS 5th year, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi

(The Daily Star) Medical waste is highly infectious and hazardous. They may carry the germs of dreadful diseases like hepatitis B & C, and HIV/AIDS. The problem is growing with ever-increasing number of hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centres in the major cities of Bangladesh.

The scenario of medical waste management in most of the hospitals and clinics are not satisfactory in our country. Traditional and out-dated systems of waste management in health facilities are practiced and their improper disposal leads to environment pollution and creates public health hazards.

Hospital incinerates medical waste backlog

Containers at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital ( Photo by Glenn Tucker )

A backlog of medical waste is now being incinerated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital — but critics are crying foul over “underhand” tactics in its disposal.

The Royal Gazette reported last month that the waste, which included human body parts and bloodied hospital gowns, had been left in shipping containers in Dockyard after KEMH’s specialised incinerator broke down. According to the hospital, eight containers were rented for storage — and could even be reused by their owners.

Ondo plans new policy on health waste management

The Ondo State Government is set to produce a workable policy on Healthcare Waste Management aimed at protecting the healthcare workers and various communities from the risk of medical waste.

Already, the state Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources has awarded the production of the draft to a consultancy firm.

The commissioner in charge of the ministry, Chief Sola Ebiseni, disclosed this  in Akure, the state capital, while addressing a stakeholders forum for the review of the healthcare management policy for the state.

Sirsa: Committee constituted to monitor bio-medical waste management

(Punjab Newsline) CHANDIGARH, Indio: A district level committee to monitor bio-medical waste management has been constituted in Sirsa district under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner. The members of the committee included all Sub Divisional Magistrates, Civil Surgeon, Regional Officer of Pollution Control Board, executive officers and secretaries of municipal bodies.

While stating this today, an official spokesman said that Regional Officer of Pollution Control Board has been appointed as Member Secretary of the  committee, who would check various hospitals, clinics and nursing homes with officer of the concerned department.

Rotoblock Medical Waste Treatment Effective Against SARS, Other Infectious Diseases

SANTA ROSA, CA–(Marketwire -06/21/12)- In May, China reported more than 982,932 cases of infectious diseases resulting in 1,575 deaths, but no cases of SARS thanks in part to new government policies and a breakthrough in medical waste treatment from Rotoblock Corp. (RTBC).

An outbreak of SARS occurred between 2002 and 2003 in China that nearly became a pandemic, with 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide (10.9% fatality), according to the World Health Organization. Within weeks, SARS spread from Hong Kong to infect individuals in 37 countries by early 2003.

CEO Says Rotoblock Medical Waste Treatment Addresses Urgent Health Needs in China

SANTA ROSA, CA — (Marketwire) — 06/19/12 — Following a recent business trip to China, Andrew Schneider, CEO of Rotoblock Corp. (OTCBB: RTBC), said there is a critical need for non-incinerator-based medical waste treatment.

Medical waste closes nine miles of shoreline on Long Beach Island, New Jersey

(NewJerseyNewsroom) Around nine miles of beaches on Long Beach Island were re-opened on Sunday after they had been closed Saturday because medical waste, syringes, and other debris were found to have washed ashore.

By 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, Long Beach Township Mayor Joe Mancini told NBC New York that the beaches had been opened again. “We are watching closely, all good for now,” Mancini said.

Needle disposal program that safeguards public recognized in Caribou

CARIBOU, Maine — The state Department of Environmental Protection was in Caribou on Friday to recognize a unique program that safeguards the public against accidental needle sticks.

Patricia Aho, commissioner of the DEP, was at Cary Medical Center to recognize their Community Safe Medical Program and also to award a $10,000 grant that will expand the program into four other communities.

Only 44 Per Cent Of Vietnam Hospitals Have Waste Water Treatment Systems

HCM City, May 30 (Bernama) – The Health Ministry has devised a plan to collect all medical waste every day, with 70 percent of solid waste to be treated by 2015, according to the Health Environment Management Department.

In recent years, cholera and influenza A virus subtype H1N1 have reappeared, a majority of which are caused by environmental pollution resulting from improper treatment of medical waste.

Waste not, want not

(Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism)

by Alecks P. Pabico

Monday, December 17th, 2007 · Share this story

NOT TOO long ago, protests were at fever-pitch over how healthcare facilities in the country disposed of their waste. After all, study after study had pointed to an increasing share of healthcare waste in the total municipal solid waste stream. More importantly, that included infectious and hazardous wastes whose then rather haphazard handling, storage, treatment, and disposal had activists and other observers sick with worry about their adverse health and environmental effects.

But these days, Ester Borja, chairperson of the Waste Management Committee (WMC) of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC), is grinning from ear to ear — and it’s not because of the news of the P10,000 bonus to government employees. It’s because for almost two years now, the Heart Center has not only reduced the amount of waste it generates significantly, it has managed to earn six-figure amounts from waste trading.