Effect of medical waste on health of population and environment in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

The paper presents problems of care and the current state of the impact of medical waste on human health and the environment in the selected area of the Republic of Serbia. In general environmental pollution, medical waste does not take up much, but its specific characteristics are potentially among the most dangerous types of waste. Inadequate care can affect the health of the medical workers, the population and the surrounding areas in which the waste is stored, but also lead to outbreaks of global infection and poisoning.In order to testing the current state of the impact of medical waste on human health, and the possible unwanted consequences that it can produce, if it is treated in an inappropriate manner, a survey was conducted in the rural and urban environment. Research has shown that most of the respondents, unused drugs throw away into a garbage, which is mixed with municipal waste, and without prior separation it is deposited on the city landfill, and according to the Likert scale, more than 50% of the respondents partially or completely agree with the claim that the unorganized landfills are not sufficiently safe and pose a risk for the possible spread of the disease, as well as that no containers are placed in the public places for the disposal of medical (pharmaceutical) waste. Respondents believe that the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection should take responsibility for the safe management of medical waste, where over 80% of respondents expressed their willingness to store drugs at suitable locations in their places.

Perceived Environmental Health Effects of Clinical Waste Disposal in Ahoada Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria

“…In line with the findings of (Marceta & Nadj, 2018) the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection are to take responsibility for the safe management of medical waste. This suggests a need for collaboration as it is not the responsibility of one ministry or agency.…”

Household Pharmaceutical Waste Management Practices in the Johannesburg Area, South Africa

“…Whereas some of the questions in the questionnaire were straightforward or close-ended, thus requiring only a yes or no answer, others were based on a Likert scale. With a Likert scale, it is possible to rate the extent to which respondents are agreeing or disagreeing with formulated statements [ 5 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. For example, based on a Likert scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither Disagree nor Agree, 4 = Agree and 5 = Strongly Agree, respondents in the present survey were requested to indicate the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with each of the statements on household storage and disposal practices of HPWs and their willingness to return such wastes to hospitals and pharmacies.…”

Evaluation of Hospitals Waste Management Process, The Case Study of Duhok City

“…As a result, the municipal and hospital solid waste generated in the city has considerably increased. Therefore, inefficient or absence of waste management in the study area can lead to environmental pollution, unpleasant smell, and growth of insects, rodents, and worms, and potentially transmission of different diseases like typhoid and cholera through physical contact with the medical waste or through human blood which is contaminated from the syringes and medical equipment as supported by literature (Henry and Heinke, 1996) Hospital waste management is the process of managing the waste of hospitals scientifically and is the primary way to control the hazardous waste, especially the waste of hospitals. This garbage can generate many types of hazards in the environment of the city.…”