Biomedical Solid Waste Management System in Jimma Medical Center, Jimma Town, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction Biomedical waste is a hazardous waste material that is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings. Hence, it needs special attention and appropriate management before disposal. Objective This study aimed to assess the biomedical solid waste management system in Jimma Medical Center, Jimma town, southwestern Ethiopia, 2020. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the biomedical solid waste management system from May 12 to 25, 2020. The quantity of biomedical solid waste generated was measured by using a calibrated weight balance. An observational checklist and a semi-structured interview guide were used to assess the current practice of biomedical solid waste management. In addition, during combustion, the concentration of pollutants emitted from the incinerator was measured at a different distance from the source. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean waste generation rates among wards and the contribution of incinerator emissions at different distances was analyzed by regression. Result The average daily biomedical waste generation rate was determined to be 0.92kg/bed/day and/or 0.75kg/patient/day. There was limited segregation of biomedical waste by type at the point of generation. Mixed biomedical waste was collected and transported using substandard open plastic bins. Moreover, the incinerator was operated at a low temperature and high peak average concentrations of PM 2.5 (21.7–999.9 μg/m 3 ) and PM 10 (31–1999.9 μg/m 3 ), total VOC (736–4754mg/m 3 ), NO 2 (0.00–600 μg/m 3 ) and SO 2 (0.00–300 μg/m 3 ) were recorded at different distances downwind from the incinerator. Conclusion The average biomedical waste generation rate was above the threshold value set by the World Health Organization in low-income countries. Its management was also limited. The high concentrations of pollutants released from the incinerator affect the nearby air quality and hence interferes with the health of the local community.

Healthcare waste generation and quantification in public health centres in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…It was higher than the study done in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, health centers 57.37g/per day per patient [6]. It was also different from another study done in Jimma Zone, Jimma Medical Centre, South Western Ethiopia, the mean medical waste generation rate was 750gm/patient/ day [24]. This variation may be due to geographical location, season of the year, availability of different facilities, social status of the patients (i.e., income, living standard, awareness about disease), healthcare waste management and healthcare waste legislation of the zone.…”

Response to: Biomedical Solid Waste Management System in Jimma Medical Center, Jimma Town, South Western Ethiopia [Letter]

“…The results of this research have advantages, namely: 1) Conducted at the right time, during the Covid-19 pandemic, a critical period in waste management, 2) Analyze factors affecting medical waste management, so as to provide in-depth policy recommendations, 3) Provide decision-making recommendations to increase the need for training and personal protective equipment. 1 However, we have also discovered several limitations that need to be corrected in the future, namely: 1) Data collection using self-filled questionnaires by respondents, causing bias in data collection and interpretation of results (tend to give answers that are considered more desirable), 2) Only looked at two factors related to health waste management (training and personal protective equipment), whereas there are other influencing factors, such as: organizational policies and work culture, 3) No direct observation was done and only relied on self-reporting from respondents, there is a possibility of bias, improper perception, and affecting the validity and reliability of the data.…”