Assessing the Generation and Composition of Medical Waste in a University Teaching Hospital

Medical wastes are special category of waste with potential to harm if not properly managed. The importance of these types of waste is of concern to the global community with special interest in the developing world. An institutional based study was carried out at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and determine the waste management practices, determine total stream of medical waste generated and proffer solutions to the observed inadequacies. The study approach involved obtaining the total quantity of waste generated, its composition by categories and observation on segregation practices. Information on employee’s knowledge and practices on hospital waste management was obtained using structured questionnaire, and in depth interview of a cross section of staff, infection control officers, waste handlers and off site vehicle drivers. The result showed that the average daily waste generated was 554kg/day (202.21tons/year). While average waste generation rate per bed per day was 1.68kg/bed/day. The composition by waste type was 25(4.5%) pathological, 111(20%) infectious, and 9(1.6%) were sharps, while 410(73.9%) were non-infectious or general waste. The hospital was not practicing was segregation** hence the entire waste generated is risk waste. This study proposes an overhaul of waste management of the hospital to reduce risk to employees, handlers and the public at large.