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- Title
A NATIONAL APPROACH TO CLINICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT.
- Authors
Siru, Debbie; Pillay, M. S.; Sinha, Kazal
- Abstract
Before 1990 clinical waste in Malaysia was handled in a similar manner as any other solid waste within the hospital. This practice together with the lack of adequate disposal sites resulted in various unfortunate incidents, such as abuse of needles by drug addicts and scavenging of body parts by stray dogs. Such incidents and increasing concerns about HIV spurred the Malaysian Ministry of Health and Department of Environment to have clinical waste regulated under the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 1989. The Ministry of Health also developed Guidelines on the Management of Clinical Waste and Other Related Wastes. However, lack of resources and infrastructure were identified as impediments for full compliance with Malaysia's Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations and international standards on good management practices for clinical waste. Hence a decision was taken in 1993 to privatise this service for the Ministry's 127 hospitals and institutions throughout the country. This unprecedented move, while providing a solution to the problem of managing clinical waste, presented a whole new set of challenges. These include among others project viability and sustainability as well as maintaining quality of service in the face of commercial pressures. Some of the measures taken included awarding the contract to three Contractors, thus ensuring that there would be no monopoly and services could be taken over by either of the two Contractors in the event that one fails to deliver services. The approach taken in privatising the services took into account private sector's need for profitability, thus encouraging private sector participation and at the same time ensuring project viability and sustainability. However to en-sure a balance between profitability and public good service, the Concession Agreement (CA) with the three Contractors incorporated technical requirements, performance indicators, procedures and various other requirements to which the Contractors had to comply. Mechanisms such as a Deduction Formula and the right of the Government to engage third parties to provide services in case of poor performance by the Contractors were also incorporated into the CA. With privatisation, the country has one of the best managed clinical waste management services in the region with dedicated vehicles and treatment facilities in place. The services have also been extended to all private hospitals and other government hospitals in Malaysia. With the experience gained in providing services in Malaysia, the Contractors are also selling their services and expertise abroad.
- Subjects
MALAYSIA; MEDICAL wastes; HOSPITAL waste disposal; WASTE management; HAZARDOUS wastes; GOVERNMENT contractors; DEAD animal disposal; BUILDING cleaning industry; GOVERNMENT policy; ENVIRONMENTAL quality; MALAYSIA. Ministry of Health
- Publication
Journal of Solid Waste Technology & Management, 2006, Vol 32, Issue 4, p199
- ISSN
1088-1697
- Publication type
Article