Medical Waste Management in Private Hospitals in Tartous Governorate and Proposals for its Improvement

Abstract

This research aims to determine the quantity, type, and management practices of medical waste generated by private hospitals in Tartous.The research was conducted in Tartous Governorate at the onset of 2022 focusing on private hospitals, with a particular emphasis on three selected hospitals—Al-Kindi, Al-Andalus, and Al-Nour—as case studies. To achieve this, the study employed two methodological approaches: the descriptive approach, which involved defining medical waste and assessing the current state of its management in private hospitals in Tartous; and the analytical approach, used to analyze collected data to derive results; The results were then converted into maps and visual representations.

The study revealed a relative level of compliance with the guidelines of the Cleanliness Law and the National Guide for the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste. However, several shortcomings were identified, including the absence of liquid waste treatment units in most hospitals and the improper storage of medical waste prior to its transportation, which does not meet safety requirements.

the study recommends the establishment of a local medical waste treatment facility in Tartous. It also suggests increasing the number of waste transport vehicles from one to two to improve logistics. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of launching awareness,  and preventive measures, mandating hospitals to treat liquid medical waste, and Implementing the legislative instructions in force in Syria and imposing penalties on those who violate them.