Management of health care waste in Sri

In many countries improper management of waste generated in health care facilities causes direct health harm to the community, to people working in health care facilities, and to the environment. In addition, pollution from inadequate treatment of waste can cause indirect health harm to the community. The disposal of certain types of devices should follow specific safety rules. For example, a syringe is a common item that requires safe disposal. It is a usual sight in the vicinity of practically every hospital to find unsterile needles, syringes and containers for sample collection for sale by unscrupulous vendors. The health authorities are aware of this perilous situation, but are unable to act in a meaningful manner due to the absence of a clinical waste management infrastructure. Sri Lanka urgently needs a proper clinical waste management system. Waste management options need to be efficient, safe and environment friendly to protect people from voluntary and accidental exposure to waste when collecting, handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of waste. Furthermore, in the Sri Lankan context such options need to be cost effective, taking into account the local logistical needs. Though clinical waste management should be an integral part of the health care delivery system the principal reason for absence of such infrastructure is economic. Health personnel are still to distinguish health care waste from ordinary garbage. In a discussion of health care waste management it is important to have clear definitions of various categories of health care waste. For the purpose of this article I have chosen the WHO classification of health care waste.