Medical Waste Management in Mosul City, Iraq: Health and Environmental Risks

ABSTRACT Efficient management of medical waste is crucial to averting risks associated with disease epidemics and environmental pollution. The handling and disposal of medical waste must be done based on standard protocols, the implementation of which is not firm in some developing countries. This research examines the management of medical waste in eight public hospitals in Mosul, Iraq. Domestic waste generated in the hospitals was weighed every day for a period of 30 days. The prevailing methods used for waste collection, segregation, treatment, and disposal were thoroughly assessed against institutional policy and protocols. Interviews were also conducted to ascertain some of the practices. It was observed that the average waste generation rate ranges from 0.13 kg/bed/day to 1.48 kg/bed/day. Poor waste management standards, including improper sorting, non‐use of shredders and autoclave for hazardous medical wastes, incineration without air pollution control system, burning in an open dumpsite, etc., were identified and their effects described. The study advocates for a compliance monitoring agency with required executive backing to control the waste management process and enforce strict implementation at various hospitals and create increased awareness among the workers and populace on the imminent dangers of improper handling of medical waste.