2 October - 5 November 2021: Health-care activities protect and restore health and save lives. But what about the waste and by-products they generate?

Of the total amount of waste generated by health-care activities, about 85% is general, non-hazardous waste comparable to domestic waste. The remaining 15% is considered hazardous material that may be infectious, chemical or radioactive. Health-care waste contains potentially harmful microorganisms that can infect hospital patients, health workers and the general public. Other potential hazards may include drug-resistant microorganisms which spread from health facilities into the environment.

The management of health-care waste requires increased attention and diligence to avoid adverse health outcomes associated with poor practice, including exposure to infectious agents and toxic substances.

The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous instability in healthcare waste handling and subsequent recycling because of the volume of the waste generated and its contagious nature.

WHO has set out guidelines that elaborate on the key elements of safe management of wastes from health-care activities including how to manage the highly contagious healthcare waste resulting from highly infectious agents. Following this guidance, the country with support from WHO recently conducted a nationwide assessment of practices in the management of medical waste focusing on waste segregation, collection, transportation, storage and disposal. A similar assessment was conducted in 2014.

The assessment covered a total of 171 health facilities in 26 regions in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar through on-site visits, observation and interviews with health personnel at Regional, Council and Health Facility level. Overall, it was noted that there is good awareness of the risks related to health-care waste, and of safe practices and various initiatives are implemented to select safe and environmentally-friendly management options, to protect people from hazards when collecting, handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of waste.

A number of gaps were also identified in terms of practices that reduce the volume of wastes generated, limited measures to ensure proper waste segregation; lack of a comprehensive system, addressing responsibilities, resource allocation, handling and disposal. Gaps were also noted in terms of strategies in place to incrementally improve waste segregation, destruction and disposal practices with the aim of meeting national and international standards. It is envisaged that findings from the assessment will provide a basis for development of a national action plan to address challenges identified.  

“The Ministry of Health has provided guidelines for Health Care Waste Management but more needs to be done to ensure their application at health facility level” said Dr. Haika Kimambo, one of the assessors from WHO Tanzania.