Healthcare waste: A worsening threat
By Jason B. Neola
Healthcare waste is a silent but growing environmental threat, and a recent survey sheds light on how communities are coping. The Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project (HCW Project) conducted a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey to assess public awareness of healthcare waste management. Covering Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) in Quezon City, Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City, and Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City, the survey engaged 923 respondents—hospital patients, visitors, and nearby community members.
These hospitals, which faced a surge in healthcare waste during the COVID-19 pandemic, provide a crucial snapshot of the country’s waste management practices. The findings, unveiled at an International Zero Waste Month forum on January 17, revealed a mixed picture—some progress, but also alarming gaps.
Key Findings: A Mixed Bag of Awareness and Practices
The survey highlighted regional disparities in waste management awareness. While respondents across the three hospitals showed basic knowledge of waste segregation and management programs, deeper concerns emerged:
Misconceptions about hazardous waste disposal remain widespread.
Waste minimization practices are poorly understood.
Lack of color-coded bins and improper waste disposal continue to pose challenges in many areas.
At QMMC, hospital-based respondents exhibited higher awareness and positive attitudes, supported by sustainable initiatives such as material recovery, waste treatment facilities, rainwater collection, and urban gardening for composting. However, nearby barangay communities struggled with waste literacy, particularly in identifying hazardous materials and understanding proper disposal methods.
The Call for Action: From Awareness to Accountability
The survey underscores the urgent need for stronger education, improved waste management infrastructure, and community engagement. A significant number of respondents expressed a willingness to participate in awareness programs, recognizing healthcare providers and barangay leaders as key sources of reliable information.
“Assessing community awareness is essential to identifying and addressing gaps for long-term sustainability,” said Jam Lorenzo, Deputy Executive Director of BAN Toxics and Manager of the HCW Project. “The HCW Project aims to strengthen awareness, improve local systems, and promote sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental and health risks of healthcare waste.”
What’s Next? A Roadmap for Sustainable Healthcare Waste Management
To bridge the gaps, the HCW Project is set to collaborate with local government units, healthcare providers, and community leaders to roll out targeted awareness campaigns and sustainable interventions. Key priorities include:
• Improving waste segregation systems
• Expanding community education on hazardous waste
• Developing more efficient waste management strategies
Launched in December 2023, the HCW Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), with BAN Toxics as the executing entity.
The next big step? A national workshop on January 31 to kickstart the project’s five-year plan for environmentally sound healthcare waste management. The goal: turn awareness into action and action into lasting change.
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