Problematic of the Biomedical Waste Management in Four Hospitals in Kisangani Town, in D.R. Congo

Biomedical waste management (BDW) is a major public health and environmental problem. A study was conducted in four hospitals in Kisangani to analyze how biomedical waste is managed. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from 02 to 22 July 2018. On the basis of a questionnaire submitted to hospital staff and an interview with BMW management staff, 38 questionnaires were distributed and 34 responses were received, representing a response rate of 89.5%.

The results of this investigation show that, with the exception of pharmacies, pharmaceutical waste, infectious waste and anatomical waste were in all services at 51.7%, 41.4% and 17.1%. The sorting of the BMW was unsuitable for 53.3% of services and the use of the color coding system for 10.0% of services. Security boxes available in 63.3% of services. Most of the central storage site was open-air and mixed with household garbage (GSHG). The transport of the BMWs was done with the help of hands at 73.3% of services, trolleys or trolleys with 10.0% of services and wheelbarrows at 16.7%. Working conditions were considered poor by 84.7% of workers surveyed and personal protective equipment available at 49.1% of services. The knowledge on the management of BMW was considered insufficient by 61.6% of workers interviewed and the health risks related to BMW known by 84.7%.

The Congolese State must legislate and apply the laws regulating the roles, responsibilities and mechanisms of ecological management of biomedical waste. And hospital staff should be trained to reduce accidents related to mismanagement of BMW.