September 2017
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1,084 Reads
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3 Citations
Medical waste management is an important public health concern worldwide. One of the first critical steps in the process of developing a reliable waste management plan requires a comprehensive understanding of the quantities and qualities of the wastes that needs to be managed. In Libya, as in many developing countries, little data is available concerning generation rates, handling and disposal of medical waste. This fact hinders the development and implementation of medical waste management schemes. The aim of this study is to survey an appraisal of the current situation regarding hospital waste management in Libya. Procedures, techniques, methods of handling, and disposal of waste are presented, as well as the amounts and compositions of hospital waste. This work was conducted in the form of a case study. Eight government hospitals in three cities, Benghazi, AL Bayda, and Tobruk, all located in the northeastern part of Libya, were selected for investigation. The investigation showed that the hospitals surveyed had neither guidelines for separated collection and classification, nor methods for storage and disposal of generated waste. This deficiency indicates the need for an adequate hospital waste management strategy to improve and control the existing situation. The average medical waste generation rate was found to be 1.45 kg/patient/day, comprised of 70% general healthcare waste (non-risk) and 30% hazardous waste. The average general waste composition was: 38% organic, 20% plastics, and 20% paper. Sharps and pathological elements comprised 27%of the hazardous waste component. The study recommended the need for an adequate medical waste management strategy to improve and control existing situation to recognize early deleterious effects on health and environment systems.