OPTIMIZING HEALTH SAFETY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE MEDICAL WASTE HANDLING PRACTICES IN UZBEKISTAN: A HYGIENIC EVALUATION

The healthcare infrastructure in the Republic of Uzbekistan has undergone substantial transformation in recent years, marked by the modernization of medical facilities and the widespread use of disposable medical equipment. This shift has resulted in a noticeable rise in the volume and complexity of medical waste, especially in urban centers like Tashkent, which host a concentration of public hospitals and private healthcare providers. This increased volume and morphological diversity of waste has introduced serious public health and environmental concerns, requiring urgent attention to hygienic management practices.