Medical waste management and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Ukraine: An assessment of solutions to support post-war recovery efforts

Abstract

The active hostilities in Ukraine have not only changed the lives of the pre-war population of nearly 44 million people, but have also had a global environmental impact that negatively impacts the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This study examines the impact of compliance and safety processes related to medical waste management and final disposal strategies on the achievement of the UN SDGs in Ukraine during the period of the conflict. To conduct this research, the relationship between climate change and the production, proper disposal and environmental pollution of medical products was studied using bibliometric analysis. The interdependence between effective medical waste management and the SDGs is identified, and the importance of this issue for achieving a sustainable future is shown. Based on data analysis, the paper shows ways to reduce the negative impact of improper medical waste disposal on the environment. The study also recommends the creation of a strategy that prioritises international partnerships and exchange of experience, investment in medical waste disposal capacity, recycling and recovery, information dissemination, and international cooperation to achieve the UN SDGs.