Medical solid waste management status in Zimbabwe

Abstract

In Zimbabwe, management of medical solid waste is emerging as a visible dilemma. This is attributed to population explosion as well as outbreak of diseases and spread of already existing diseases which accelerate volume of medical solid waste generated by medical facilities. Consequently, the overarching objective of this paper was to review medical solid waste management status in Zimbabwe utilising published documents. The literature demonstrated that medical solid waste generated in Zimbabwe encompasses pathological, pharmaceutical, chemical, infectious, cytotoxic, sharps and general waste. Management approaches used by medical facilities are marred with inappropriateness as shown by storage, collection, conveyance and disposal of non-segregated waste. Verdicts of the study depict that open pit dumping, landfills, incineration, burying, open burning, ottoway pits and open dumpsites are discarding strategies used. However, these strategies pose water, air and soil pollution, therefore, impacting the ecosystem and humanity. Findings indicated that infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, gastro-intestinal problems and injuries emanate due to poor management of medical waste. The roots of unsafe management of medical solid waste include inadequate finance, weak enforcement of legislation, ignorance among health workers and waste workers as well as non-participatory approach in decision making. Zimbabwe is recommended to direct funds to medical solid waste, increase awareness of health workers through trainings and education and reinforcing enforcement of legislation linked to medical solid waste among others.

Perilaku Tenaga Kesehatan dalam Pemilahan Limbah Medis Padat

“…Selain itu, tidak ada bukti epidemiologis yang menunjukkan bahwa praktik pembuangan limbah tradisional di fasilitas layanan kesehatan (di mana limbah klinis dan mikrobiologi didekontaminasi di lokasi sebelum meninggalkan fasilitas) telah menyebabkan penyakit baik di lingkungan layanan kesehatan atau masyarakat umum. Pernyataan ini mengecualikan, bagaimanapun, cedera akibat benda tajam yang diderita selama atau segera setelah pemberian perawatan pasien sebelum benda tajam dibuang (Takunda & Steven, 2023).…”

“…Pertimbangan estetika dan emosional (berasal dari tahuntahun awal epidemi HIV), bagaimanapun, telah menggambarkan pengembangan kebijakan pengobatan dan pembuangan, terutama untuk limbah dan benda tajam patologi dan anatomi. Perhatian publik telah menghasilkan pengumuman federal , aturan dan peraturan negara bagian dan lokal tentang pengelolaan dan pembuangan limbah medis (Takunda & Steven, 2023). Tujuan penulisan artikel ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi perilaku tenaga kesehatan dalam pemilahan limbah medis padat.…”

The Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Subsequent Association with Exposure to Childhood Violence and Mental Health Outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults in Zimbabwe

“…Zimbabwe, in particular, witnessed a surge in STI cases among young people, with a notable increase of 15,827 cases in 2022 compared to 2021. This surge not only compromises the quality of life for affected young individuals but also places strain on households' resources and national budgets to deal with the increasing risk of STIs [8]. In Zimbabwe, the commonly reported forms of STIs are predominantly gonorrhea and chlamydia, which are often detectable in urethral and vaginal discharge [9].…”