Abstract
Due to medical waste’s infection and hazard, it can cause potential environmental and public health risks, so medical waste management is of great importance especially in developing countries. The objective of the study was to analyze and assess current status of medical waste management in the light of semi-structured interview in medical institutions and the medical waste disposal centre. As a medium-sized city of China and its respective nature, Xinxiang was selected as the case study. In order to significantly improve eco-efficiency of medical waste management (MWM) and minimize the environmental risks, this paper identified key factors determining the implementation of MWM on the basis of the local realities and situations of medical waste, and then an integrated MWM system was developed. Such the regulations should be improved; MWM database platform should be strengthened; unified coordination ability of the MWM should be developed; and a suitable rural recycling network should be set up.
Highlights
Medical waste refers to hazardous waste materials generated by healthcare activities, including a board range of materials, from used needles and syringes to soiled dressing, body parts, diagnostic samples, blood, chemicals pharmaceuticals, medical devices and radioactivity materials (WHO 2005) [1]
In order to strengthen the safety of the medical waste management (MWM) and prevent the spread of diseases, “Regulations on the Administration of Medical Waste” in 2003 and “Hospital Infection Management Method” in 2006 were successively issued in China, which gave some regulations about segregation, collection, storage, transportation, disposal and supervision etc
We focus on identifying the main problems on MWM and raise appropriate suggestions, which can be shared by other cities in China or cities in other developing countries that face the same challenges
Summary
Medical waste refers to hazardous waste materials generated by healthcare activities, including a board range of materials, from used needles and syringes to soiled dressing, body parts, diagnostic samples, blood, chemicals pharmaceuticals, medical devices and radioactivity materials (WHO 2005) [1]. Its potential environmental hazards and public health risks have attracted the attention of the world. There were 5.22 million people every year in the world, including 4. (2014) Medical Waste Management in China: A Case Study of Xinxiang. With the rapid development of economy in China, from 2003 to 2012, the number of the national health agencies increased three times from 305,000 to 961,830 within 10 years, and at the same time medical waste increased rapidly. In order to strengthen the safety of the MWM and prevent the spread of diseases, “Regulations on the Administration of Medical Waste” in 2003 and “Hospital Infection Management Method” in 2006 were successively issued in China, which gave some regulations about segregation, collection, storage, transportation, disposal and supervision etc
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
