Evaluation of biomedical waste management at the Commune I Reference Health Center - Bamako, Mali

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the biomedical waste management system at the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako in order to contribute to improving its quality. Material and methods: From May 1st to September 30th, 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 21 departments/units and 10 treatment rooms. Administrative staff, care workers and cleaners filled in questionnaires, interview guides and observation grids on the organizational, professional and material characteristics of waste management. Results: The results revealed significant shortcomings in the organizational framework with the absence of a functional hygiene committee, micro-plans, a framework for meetings and exchanges between the actors, and no defined role or responsibility in almost all of the services. A deficit in human capacity (surface technicians), a shortage of material resources due to a lack of security boxes (23.8%), coded waste garbage cans (28.60%), waste bags (14.3%), as well as, an unsecured storage site and a financial shortage were observed. Sorting by the nursing staff (38.1%) was inadequate, with safety boxes filled to overflowing (28.6%). The frequency of collection was 2 times/day (60%), did not comply with standards. Conclusion: Biomedical waste miss management is a real danger at CSRéf CI. An organizational system for participatory management, equipment, training and sensitization are the challenges for a change in behavior of the different actors to improve the quality of waste management.