Medical waste management in a shambles
Despite the amount of medical waste generated in the country is the second highest among the South-East Asian nations, the waste management situation is poor to say the least, according to a study.
The study, conducted by Transparency International Bangladesh, also revealed that a ring of corrupt contractors is selling unrefined and harmful waste as fresh medical equipment with the help of a section of medical staffers.
The study findings were revealed during a virtual event yesterday.
TIB collected data from 231 public and private hospitals, city corporations, municipalities and contractor organisations, and interviewed 93 persons involved in medical waste management from June 2021 to November 2022.
Around 60 percent of hospitals do not have bins to store medical waste, while 83 percent of hospitals have no waste treatment system, according to the study, titled "Governance Challenges in Medical Waste Management and Way Out".
"An anarchic situation is evident in medical waste management. There are weaknesses in the relevant legislation. The institutional framework is absent and there is an overall lack of coordination in this regard."
The study revealed that a section of hospital staffers and a ring of contractors were found to be involved in supplying medical wastes back to the market, posing a major threat to public health.
The study has also revealed irregularities and corruption in every step of medical waste management, including collection, storage, transportation, and treatment.
There is a shortage of human resources in waste management. On the other hand, financial corruption was found in the recruitment process, where officials and employees of both the health department and the city corporations were involved, said the study.
Speaking at the occasion, Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said, "An anarchic situation is evident in medical waste management. There are weaknesses in the relevant legislation. The institutional framework is absent and there is an overall lack of coordination in this regard."
According to the study, Medical Waste (Management and Processing) Rules do not clarify the responsibilities and accountability of city corporations and municipalities for the outhouse management of medical waste. "As a result, the city corporation/Municipality has not developed any action plan," it mentioned.
Although there are guidelines from the WHO for the management of recyclable and reusable waste, the rules do not indicate separate categories for reusable and recyclable waste.
For a standardised medical waste management system, the study placed a 13-point recommendation, including coordination, monitoring, and supervision of institutions related to medical waste management; amendment of laws; a clear definition of harmful medical wastes in relevant environment acts; coordination among the stakeholders, including the DoE, DGHS, hospitals and city corporations/municipalities; capacity development of the stakeholders; and adequate budgetary allocation and human resources.
The study also recommended developing a central open database and regularly updating it with information on waste generated, and strict action against corruption and irregularities to stop the illegal trade.
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