STEPS TOWARDS IMPROVEMENT

Improvements in health-care waste management rely on the following key elements:

· The build-up of a comprehensive system, addressing responsibilities, resource allocation, handling and disposal. This is a long-term process, sustained by gradual improvements;

· Awareness raising and training about risks related to health-care waste, and safe and sound practices;

· Selection of safe and environmentally-friendly management options, to protect people from hazards when collecting, handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of waste.

Government commitment and support is needed to reach an overall and long-term improvement of the situation, although immediate action can be taken locally.

Health-care waste management is an integral part of health-care, and creating harm through inadequate waste management reduces the overall benefits of health-care.