Present Status of Medical Waste Disposal System in Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Chittagong

Medical wastes are highly infectious and hazardous. It may carry the germs of dreadful diseases like hepatitis B and C (jaundice), and HIV/AIDS. It contains toxic chemicals and hazardous materials from several diagnostic and treatment processes. The improper disposal of Medical waste in the CMCH poses a high health risk to humans as well as the environment. This study was carried out from July 2014 to September 2014 to know the characteristics of Medical waste and present disposal system in CMCH. Categorization of medical wastes included sharps, pathological waste, pharmaceutical waste and chemical waste. Sharps were counted in number and pathological wastes were assessed in weight (kg). The most frequently discharged component of sharps was observed as ampoules and vials, which comprised about 45.08%, syringe and needles occupied about 42.20%, infusion sets with saline bags occupied about 10.71% and about 2.01% pathological waste. The bacteriological quality of discharged wastes and the soil of the disposal ground were evaluated on the basis of bacterial indicator such as E.coli count, occurrence of Salmonella spp. And Vibrio cholera which exceeded the standard level suggested by WHO for standard of soil and water. The results revealed that the present waste disposal system was unhygienic and unsafe. The knowledge level of hospital staff on the harmful impacts of improper waste disposal was also very low. The need for raising awareness, improving waste handling and disposal system, and implementing laws and regulations regarding Medical waste management are recommended.