Efficiency of Health Care Risk Waste Management in Rural Healthcare Facilities of South Africa: An Assessment of Selected Facilities in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Foluke C. Olaniyi, Jason S. Ogola and Takalani G. Tshitangano
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Foluke C. Olaniyi: Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Jason S. Ogola: Department of Mining and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Takalani G. Tshitangano: Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-19

Abstract: Waste generated form healthcare facilities is a potential source of health risks to the public, if it is not properly handled from the point of generation to disposal. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of healthcare risk waste (HCRW) management in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifteen healthcare facilities were selected in Vhembe District for this study. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, observation and pictures. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while the quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. In all the healthcare facilities; mismanagement of HCRW was noted at different points along the management chain. Poor segregation, overfilling of waste bins, inappropriate transportation and storage of waste in substandard storage rooms were observed in the facilities. All the waste from the district are transported to a private-owned treatment facility outside the district, where they are mainly incinerated. Enforcement of healthcare risk waste guidelines, provision of standardized equipment for temporary storage, empowerment of each healthcare facility to treat at least some of the waste, and employment of non-burn techniques for treatment of waste are recommended for more efficient management of healthcare risk waste in Vhembe District.

Keywords: healthcare risk waste; open burning; cradle to grave; waste management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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