Determination of the best method for safe handling and recycle-reuse of clinical solid waste materials in a hospital of penang island, malaysia

The Clinical solid waste management has been raised a significant problem in most developing countries including Malaysia. The main reason of the mismanagement of this type of wastes is the lack of effective waste management strategy that can be easily implemented during clinical solid waste handling, transport and final disposal. Aware of the significance of the issue, the study was conducted in the form of a case study in one of the largest healthcare facilities in Penang Island, Malaysia, namely, the Hospital Lam Wah Ee. It was found that the hospital has taken apposite steps in safe management of clinical solid waste within its premise that comply with the relevant Ministry of Health regulations of Malaysia. However, the clinical solid waste management at the hospital required trained clinical staffs, effective control and high financial investments. Despite the health risks and environmental impacts, clinical solid waste is still disposed through incineration. The present study revealed the urgency to adopt effective sterilization technology in clinical solid waste management. The clinical solid waste materials would be recycled and reused after it has been sterilized, which would minimize the waste generation as well as its disposable cost.