Hospital Waste Management and Disposal Methods: A Case Study of Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owo, Nigeria

Abstract

Waste has been defined as any product or material that is not useful to the owner. Hospital waste has been categorized by (WHO) as infectious and non-infectious. Improper waste management  can deface the physical environment also another prominent issues that cannot be overlooked is the exposure of cleaners, health workers and patients to health risk such as hospital acquired infection, transfusion transmitted diseases, rising incidences of hepatitis B, and HIV, respiratory tract infection among others. Inadequate funding has led to shortage of facilities and human resources, poor land use planning and developmental control. This paper therefore assesses the hospital waste management and the disposal methods in the Federal Medical Centre, Owo with a view to suggesting measures to improve effective waste management that will promote safety and conducive physical environment. This study adopted survey research design, primary and secondary data were sourced, a total of 269 sets of questionnaires was distributed, while 260 were retrieved. The study revealed that the waste management practices in the study area were not satisfactory, as indiscriminate dumping of infectious wastes and poor handling were found in the study area Also findings reveals that average hospital waste generated for FMC Owo was 1.4-1.8kg waste per bed/day. Hazardous waste accounted for 21.7% waste generated in the study area. Most of the wastes generated in the study area are not properly segregated. This study recommends urgent need for raising awareness and education on hospital waste issues. Also, environmental health department are advised to make plans and introduce necessary policies for the proper collection and safe disposal of hospital waste.