Abstract
Significant differences exist in the management of health-care waste management, globally. This is particularly so between low, middle and high-income countries. A systematic review of scientific literature on global healthcare waste management spanning the period 2000 – current was undertaken, in order to identify key policies, practices, challenges and best practice. The findings were analysed considering the Gross National Income and the Human Development Index of each country. Effective regulation and operative definitions of waste categories are key-factors requiring improvement at the national level. The economic conditions in the country are an important factor, especially regarding treatment and disposal. Areas for improvement (e.g. the need for improved governance structures, the development of regional clusters, as well as sharps waste segregation) are suggested.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 93-107 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Journal of Environmental Management |
| Volume | 153 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Apr 2015 |
Keywords
- Health-care waste management
- medical waste
- infectious waste
- challenges
- best practices
- treatment and disposal
