National Health--Care Waste Management Plan 2015 – 2019

Abstract

This document has been developed as a guide to all institutions producing health care waste in planning and implementation of interventions that will reduce mismanagement of hazardous waste in Zambia. The National Health-Care Waste Management Plan for 2015 to 2019 provides an overview of the situation analysis, the proposed activities and the health care facility waste generating processes in Zambia and presents options for minimizing health-care waste generation through source reduction. The hazardous wastes generated by health care facilities are a challenge in Zambia as handling, storage, transportation and final disposal leaves much to be desired. There is a need for concerted efforts to involve the Local Authority and Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) in the management of Health Care waste in Zambia. This will enhance waste reduction, recycling, transportation and adequate final disposal of health care waste. Additionally, all other stakeholders should be involved for effective management of health care waste management. The Ministry of Health and other stakeholders should put Health Care Waste Management (HWCM) as a priority in order to safe guard the staff and community from infections, injuries and ill health arising from poor Health Care Waste management.