Analyzing The Challenges and Opportunities Related to Biomedical Waste Management in District-Level Hospitals

Background:
Effective biomedical waste management is crucial for safeguarding
healthcare personnel, patients, and the environment from the dangers
posed by toxic hospital waste. District-level hospitals in Bangladesh
continue to have difficulties in establishing efficient waste management
systems.
Objective:
This study aimed to examine the difficulties and opportunities
associated with biomedical waste management practices among
healthcare professionals in designated district-level hospitals in
Bangladesh.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed from March 2025 to
November 2025 in designated district-level hospitals in Bangladesh. A
total of 130 healthcare practitioners, encompassing physicians, nurses,
custodians, and administrators, engaged in the study. Data were
gathered through structured questionnaires and analysed using SPSS
version 26. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages,
means, and standard deviations, were employed.
Results:
A moderate level of awareness of biomedical waste management
among healthcare professionals was observed. Approximately 73.1%
were cognizant of BWM regulations, and 60% had undergone training.
Nonetheless, fewer than 50% continuously implemented waste
segregation at the source. Incineration (26.9%) was the predominant
treatment modality. Significant issues comprised insufficient staff
awareness or training (26.9%), poor infrastructure (23.1%), and
deficient monitoring (19.2%). Participants recommended consistent
training, enhanced infrastructure, sufficient PPE provision, and
increased oversight to improve biomedical waste management methods
in hospitals.
Conclusion:
Results from this study suggested enchaining training, infrastructure, and
proper supervision is essential to improve biomedical waste
management in district levels hospitals to mitigate the health and
environmental hazards in Bangladesh.