An Investigation of Waste Management Practices in Pakistan: A Case of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad

The study aimed to assess waste management practices at Ayub Teaching Hospital and identified several shortcomings that call for improvement and redesign. In healthcare institutions, especially in developing nations like Pakistan, managing waste generated during medical activities is crucial due to its potential adverse impact on both the community and the natural environment. Effective waste management is imperative to ensure a sanitary environment for the public, prevent infections, and curb nosocomial issues. The study's focus was to scrutinize prevailing waste management practices in Pakistan, concentrating on Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. The research was conducted within the confines of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad, utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional methodology. For data collection, three questionnaires were modified to align with the study's objectives and distributed among healthcare and sanitation staff. Respondents filled these questionnaires, and the collected data was subsequently analyzed using SPSS software. The findings underscored several critical inadequacies in waste management practices. These encompassed a dearth of training and educational initiatives, improper temporary storage that lacked safety measures, absence of documented hazardous waste records, failure to utilize appropriate color-coded bags, improper disposal of hazardous waste mixed with general waste, an evident lack of a responsible oversight committee, absence of logistical mechanisms, and a void in rule and regulation enforcement. The study sheds light on the inadequacies of waste management practices at Ayub Teaching Hospital, suggesting a comprehensive overhaul to rectify these issues. The absence of effective regulations, coupled with deficiencies in training, supervision, and safety protocols, underscores the urgency of implementing stringent corrective actions within the healthcare waste management framework.