The Effectiveness of Biomedical Wastes Handling and Disposal in Accra: The Case of the Korle-Bu Teaching and the La General Hospitals

Improper handling and disposal of biomedical wastes have the potential of causing environmental and public health problems. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of biomedical wastes management by health care providers in Accra. The focus was on the Korle-Bu Teaching and the La General Hospitals. The research used the simple random sampling technique to select eighty healthcare personnel for the investigation. The study results indicated that the respondents were highly knowledgeable about the importance of disinfecting biomedical wastes before disposal and aware of the possibility of such wastes transmitting diseases if not properly managed. In addition, the research revealed that the hospitals have the necessary facilities and follow the requisite processes for disposal of biomedical wastes. This has resulted in very effective disposal of hospital wastes. The research conclusion is that the effectiveness of management and disposal of biomedical wastes in the two facilities is because of the extensive knowledge of the respondents about the issue, availability of the required equipment and the implementation of well-designed strategies for disposing of biomedical wastes. The study recommends that more logistical/financial support should be available to health facilities for effective management of biomedical wastes throughout the country [1,2].