Hospital Solid Waste Status: A Case Study of Dosso Mother and Child Health Center (CSME) in Niger

Abstract

Thus, this study evaluated the solid waste management of the mother and child health center (CSME) of Dosso to contribute to its improvement. The approach involved conducting surveys and interviews, quantifying waste production, and analyzing how it is managed. According to the CSME Dosso hospital solid waste management analysis, all surface technicians were trained in hospital waste management, but 69% were illiterate. However, as part of this management, 51 bins of different capacities are set up for the entire establishment, including (18 bins with a capacity of 240 liters, 14 bins with 20 liters, and 19 small baskets with 10 liters). This characterization, based on both qualitative and quantitative measurements, indicates that Dosso CSME produces 167.63 kilograms of waste per day, 58.67 tons of waste per year, of which 72% is waste that is risk-free, primarily waste. Approximately 28% of waste, including household waste and containing infectious, toxic, and anatomical risks, is at risk. The disposal of this produced waste is done either by burning, by landfilling, or by burial in pits dug without any standards. This management through these different stages constitutes a source of environmental impact. This analysis also shows that the Dosso CSME needs a waste management plan and an operational incinerator, given the absence of administrative regulations, unqualified technicians, and insufficient financial resources.