May 2014 Vol.2 No.2

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Original Research Article

An Assessment of Medical Waste Management in Bawku Presbyterian Hospital of the Upper East Region of Ghana

Francis Abugri Akum

Ghana (MPH, CEMBA, PhD Public Health Student of Texila American University)

E-mail: akumfrancis@gmail.com;T el: +233 244 767 431

Accepted May 19, 2014

Abstract

Medical waste unlike other ordinary waste poses serious health risk to the handlers, health staff, patients and the community. The area of medical waste management is neglected in most health care facilities in Ghana. The main objective of the study was to assess the Medical Waste management practices in Bawku Presbyterian Hospital of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study used structured questionnaires, observation checklist and key informant interview guide to collect data from management staff and waste workers. It was observed that there was low knowledge about medical waste among waste workers. Medical waste is not segregated, waste containers not coded/labelled, no secured storage area for waste, no budget specifically for medical waste management and no waste management manual in the hospital. This study has shown that, waste management in the hospital is poor and has health implications to the handlers, staff, patients and visitors.

Keywords: Medical waste, Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, Waste segregation, Waste storage.