DSCC’s move towards safer medical waste management a right direction
In a commendable move towards safeguarding public health and the environment, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has embarked on a vital project – the separate collection of medical waste.
The decision, made during the 13th board meeting in April 2022, reflects a proactive stance to address the potential hazards posed by healthcare waste.
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the importance of isolating medical waste due to its potential to harbor harmful microorganisms, posing risks to patients, healthcare workers, and the general public.
In alignment with these global recommendations, DSCC has initiated a registration process for the systematic collection, transportation, and removal of medical waste.
The project’s first phase involves dividing the areas under DSCC jurisdiction into 10 zones, each assigned to a registered contractor.
These contractors will play a pivotal role in collecting medical waste separately from hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, and other healthcare services.
The collected waste will undergo proper processing and disposal at the incineration plant located in the DSCC landfill in Matuail.
Notably, the initiative has already kicked off in four zones, with zone-1 leading the way by collecting medical waste from major healthcare institutions such as Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital. Zones 2, 4, and 5 commenced their collection efforts in October last year, while the registration process for zone-3 nears completion, according to DSCC sources.
According to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, around 5.2 million individuals face major health hazards each year as a result of medical waste mismanagement in various countries, including Bangladesh, with 4 million of them being children.
In Bangladesh, there is no precise information about this.
Many diseases spread in Bangladesh as a result of improper medical waste disposal.
Coordinated efforts will bring fruits for medical waste management.
