The reality of liquid medical waste management in Damascus hospitals

Abstract

Large quantities of hazardous medical waste are deposited into hospitals wastewaters and these substances could negatively impact public health if not handled properly. The authorities in the Syrian Arab Republic have realized the seriousness of the problem and have issued a number of laws, guidelines and standard specifications relating to this issue since 2004. This study offers a detailed review of these documents and compares them with related World Health Organization publications. A questionnaire was designed based on the national guide for safe management of healthcare waste in order to investigate the reality of liquid medical waste management in a sample of hospitals in Damascus. The questionnaire was subsequently distributed and collected during April and May 2015. The study found that there are a number of negative points in these guidelines as well as several weaknesses in their implementation. The study calls for intensifying efforts to strengthen guidelines; monitoring the possible health problems that could arise due to weak implementation;and proposes a number of suggestions to improve the management of medical liquid waste in hospitals.