Healthcare waste management protocols challenged by Covid-19: a case study

Abstract

The resilience of a new national healthcare waste management protocol was compared in hospital and community settings in Ethiopia during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The aim was also to evaluate the flexibility and implementation status of the guidelines for healthcare waste management in the context of a pandemic. The study was performed in a cross-sectional design by using a structured questionnaire and checklists and through a systematic review. Primary and secondary data were collected, including those from municipal sites, Yekatit 12 Hospital and other relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, the data were analysed and compared to the global practices and standards. The study revealed there was a comparable difference in the level of care taken in healthcare waste management between healthcare institutions and in the community in Addis Ababa city. The provision of awareness training to waste handlers in both the clinical and municipal setting was significantly deficient, which has to be addressed together with many other variables, starting with the formulation of a resilient waste management protocol. Furthermore, waste management protocols have to be expert-revised periodically.