TITLE:
Medical Waste Management in China: A Case Study of Xinxiang
AUTHORS:
Li Nie, Zhong Qiao, Huan Wu
KEYWORDS:
Medical Waste Management, Integrated System, Medical Institutions, Medical Waste Disposal Center, Regulations
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.5 No.10,
July
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: Due to medical waste’s infection and hazard, it can cause potential environmental
and public health risks, so medical waste management is of great importance especially
in developing countries. The objective of the study was to analyze and assess current
status of medical waste management in the light of semi-structured interview in
medical institutions and the medical waste disposal centre. As a medium-sized city
of China and its respective nature, Xinxiang was selected as the case study. In
order to significantly improve eco-efficiency of medical waste management (MWM)
and minimize the environmental risks, this paper identified key factors determining
the implementation of MWM on the basis of the local realities and situations of
medical waste, and then an integrated MWM system was developed. Such the regulations
should be improved; MWM database platform should be strengthened; unified coordination
ability of the MWM should be developed; and a suitable rural recycling network should
be set up.