HEALTHCARE SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND ITS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: THE CASE OF KELLE PRIMARY HOSPITAL, KOORE ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Healthcare facilities generate healthcare wastes that can endanger the health of human being and environment. Healthcare Waste refers to waste that is produced during treatment, diagnosis and related activities. It needs special and suitable handling before disposal. This study is aimed to assess the healthcare waste management system in Kelle Primary Hospital, Koore Zone, South Ethiopia region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design involving Direct Observation, Key Informant Interview and weighing scale was used to evaluate the healthcare solid waste management system. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean waste generation rate among wards. The average daily healthcare waste generation rate was determined to be 0.84 kg/bed/day and 0.65 kg/patient/day. Of the total solid waste generated, over half (52.16%) constitutes general waste and the remaining 47.84% was hazardous waste. There were significant variation between different wards regarding GW and HW. Regarding GW (OPD and radiological ward (MD=7.43, P<0.001)) was the highest and regarding HW (Delivery ward and Pharmacy (MD=7.61, P<0.001)) was the highest. Besides, there was limited segregation of healthcare waste by type at the point of generation. Healthcare waste was collected and transported using a cracked sub-standard open plastic bins. Moreover, the brick incinerator performs at low temperature. The average hazardous healthcare waste generation rate is above the threshold value set by WHO, of hazardous HCW generation rate in low-income countries. Therefore, proper application of the principle of waste segregation based on international and national guideline have to be applied in the Hospital.