Biomedical Waste Disposal and Environmental Aesthetics of Tertiary Health Care Centers in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja- Nigeria

Filed in Articles by on November 27, 2022

Biomedical Waste Disposal and Environmental Aesthetics of Tertiary Health Care Centers in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja- Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the Biomedical Waste disposal methods and the environmental aesthetics of Tertiary Health Care Centers (THCCs) in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which are the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Izom Road, Gwagwalada, and The National Hospital, (TNH), Municipal Area.

The study identified and characterized the categories of BMW generated in the hospitals into degradable and Non- degradable and examined the methods of BMW disposal in each of the THCCs, and the effectiveness of the BMW disposal methods in the hospitals. The study adopted a survey design.

Two health centers were purposively sampled for the survey. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire and a checklist designed by the researcher.Equal responses of staff and patients from focused group discussion and in-depth interview were discussed extensively.

Observations of the clinics and surroundings were guided by a checklist. Photographs were also taken of the dumpsites. Descriptive statistics were used to present the research results.

Findings revealed that constituents of biomedical waste found in both hospitals were degradable such as papers, bandages and cotton swabs while others were non-degradable such as needles and syringes, bottles, used blades and plastics.

About 90% of the respondents in both hospitals agreed that waste bin and storage container exist and waste collection is daily.

However, their transportation to disposal points are ineffective as they are either transported by open vehicles, wheeled vehicles or trucks as attested to by 65% in UATH and 60% in TNH.

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

There is a significant concern expressed by environmentalists and enlightened citizenry in Nigeria that wastes generated in hospitals and other healthcare facilities are not being managed properly.

Hospitals are health institutions that provide health care services while health care establishments look after the public health directly through patients care.

It is also done by ensuring a clean, healthy environment for employees and community members. In other words, health care activities facilitate protecting the environment, curing patients and saving lives.

However, in the course of their activities, biomedical wastes are generated, 20 percent of which expose humans to risk of infections, trauma, chemical or radiation exposure and sometimes death (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2011; Madhu, Hina, Puttaiah and Thirumala, 2013).

A wide range of hospital wastes were listed by Baveja, Muralidhar and Aggarwal (2000) to include sharps, human tissues or body parts and other disposable but infectious materials referred to as ‘Hospital Solid Waste‘.

REFERENCES

Alagoz B.A.Z. and Kocasoy G (2007). Treatment and disposal alternatives for health care wastes in developing countries-A case study in Istanbul, Turkey. Waste Management Resource, 25: 83-89

Allen C, (2011). Environmental aesthetics. In E. Craig (Ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of philosophy. London: Routledge.

Allsopp M, Costner P and Johnson P (2001). Open dumping/burning and human health. Uk: GreenpeaceResearch Laboratories, University of Exeter.

Askarian M, Vakili M, Kabir G (2006). Results of a Hospital Waste Survey in Private Hospitals in Pars Province, Iran. Pp. 7-11.

Askarian M, Vakili M, Kabir G (2004). Results of a hospital waste survey in private hospitals in Fars province, Iran. Waste Manage. 24(4): 347-352.

Babatola, J.O., (2008). A Study of Hospital Waste Generation and Management Practice in Akure, Nigeria. An International Multidisciplinary Journal, Ethiopia 2(3):291-305 ISSN 1994-9057. ISSN 2070—0083

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