Logistical Challenges of Waste Management Within the Abu Dhabi Healthcare System

Abstract

This paper explores the logistical challenges of waste management and disposal within the Abu Dhabi Healthcare System, mainly referring to Abu Dhabi Health Services Company SEHA. It is recognized that healthcare systems in general, are often associated with the generation of various types of waste–medical, human, chemical, physical, etc. Thus, there is a real and urgent need for a robust, efficient and adequate waste management and disposal system–one which is logistically designed to dispose of such wastes in such fashion as to address and satisfy the health, welfare and environmental impacts of such hazardous wastes and material. This became even more critical with the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, the necessity of the present study. Specifically, this study first identifies the logistical challenges associated with the collection and channeling of medical wastes. Thereafter, the study proposes improvements of the system for the efficient and environmentally sustainable management and disposal of such wastes, within the Abu Dhabi Healthcare System. The proposed smart system of waste management and disposal is recommended to overcome the prevailing deficiencies which are inherent in many healthcare systems - especially those that are focused merely on the process of only collection of medical wastes. Furthermore, the proposed smart system which adopts a novel and innovative logistical methodology, is designed to facilitate the proper management and disposal of healthcare wastes within the Abu Dhabi Healthcare System framework–in health, environmental and cost-effective terms.