Medical waste is dangerous for environment and human health and while the waste is categorized and kept in separate bins, there is always the risk of germs spreading through used dressings, bandages, cotton etc.
A law was passed in 2008 for the management of clinical waste but it’s not effective.
Health department officials say that more separate plants are needed to manage clinical waste since currently there are only two, one in Dhaka and the other in Rajshahi.
At the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), waste is transported in separate drums, red ones used to collect syringes, ampoules, used bandages, cotton, black ones for dry materials and yellow ones for liquid waste.
Robi Chandra Das, who works with waste at the medical college, said: “After working with waste, I have developed skin rashes with itching.”
Some have complained of Asthma-related complications.
Doctors say that those who work with waste also suffer from Pneumonia, Hepatitis B and other respiratory ailments.
Assistant director of the department of environment, Saiful Ashraf, said: “Hospitals have been given the notice to manage waste; some have improved after notice. Firm steps will be taken against those who haven’t.”
Former dean of BSMMU, Dr ABM Abdullah, said: “Those who handle waste are faced with a threat and face a variety of skin diseases, allergy and eczema.”
Those who handle waste need to be extra alert and wear gloves, mask and special clothes, said Dr Bashir Uddin of the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital.