Literature review on the impact of biomedical waste management on health and the environment in healthcare facilities

Context: Biomedical waste management represents a major challenge for health systems, especially in developing countries where infrastructure and regulations are often inadequate. Poor management of such waste can lead to significant health and environmental risks, including the spread of infections and the pollution of soil and water. Method: This study aims to assess the impact of hospital waste management on health and the environment by identifying existing practices, current regulations, and their levels of enforcement. Results: The results show that treatment T1 (0.03% Nelumbo nucifera powder) recorded the highest values for average weight gain and specific growth rate. The highest survival rate was recorded in animals A documentary approach was adopted, analyzing scientific articles on biomedical waste management in various contexts. Results: The findings reveal several shortcomings. Although policies exist, they are not effectively implemented. Only 29% of the surveyed facilities practice waste segregation at the source, and 26% have appropriate storage areas. The majority of waste is either incinerated (68%) or buried (25%), often without proper environmental impact control. Additionally, waste management is frequently entrusted to untrained personnel, increasing the risk of nosocomial infections and pollution-related diseases. Conclusion: This study highlights a lack of training, funding, and suitable equipment. It is crucial to improve infrastructure, strengthen regulations, and adopt sustainable practices to reduce the health and environmental risks associated with hospital waste.